NRF comes out swinging against retail giant

In response to Wal-Mart's open support of employer-mandated health care as part of reform, NRF president and CEO Tracy Mullin urged its members to oppose the retail giants views.

In an open letter to members posted on the NRF Web site, Mullin reiterates her association's position that a mandated health care program would drive up costs for employers, forcing them to reduce payroll or raise prices. The letter adds that the NRF has been working with Congress, associations and businesses to arrive at a compromise. 

Mullin went on to suggest, that Wal-Mart's backing of Obama's health care policies was more of an attempt to better its own image, noting, "Although the move may provide a short-term public relations boost to Wal-Mart, it could have long-lasting, devastating consequences to retailers throughout the country."

"We could stand idly by and allow Wal-Mart to tip the scales on the health care debate, cower and release an innocuous statement that would neither support nor condemn their decision, or stand up for all retailers and come out swinging," Mullin adds.

Wal-Mart is not a member of the NRF, and Mullin notes in the letter that she is not expecting them to join the association anytime soon.

At the end of June, Wal-Mart joined unlikely allies, the Service Employees International Union and the Center for American Progress, in support of employer-mandated health care. Click here to download the letter the group sent to President Obama.