NRF and RILA tie-up is overdue

The retail industry is expected to benefit from more effective representation on Capitol Hill, among other things, as a result of the recently announced merger between the National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association. The combination has made sense for the better part of the past decade given the high degree of overlap in the groups’ missions combined with a declining pool of potential members that has resulted from retailer and supplier consolidation. The move also comes as the retail industry faces significant threats in the form of the Employee Free Choice Act and is in need of a unified lobbying presence. The executive committees of both associations unanimously agreed in principle to a merger, but the combination requires approval by the board and membership of each organization.

“This is an historic time for our industry. The challenges and opportunities before our members are unprecedented. Now is the right time to bring these associations together,” RILA chairman, Robert Niblock, chairman and CEO of Lowe's and NRF chairman Mike Ullman, chairman and CEO of JCPenney said in a joint statement.

Anew name for the combined group has not been released and it isn’t entirely clear who will serve as head of the organization although RILA president Sandy Kennedy will lead the transition as NRF president and CEO Tracy Mullin announced her retirement.