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Retailers urge Trump to reconsider tariffs

Retailers urge Trump to reconsider tariffs

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) issued statements on Thursday warning that tariffs meant to punish China for its trade practices would hurt American consumers. The retailer groups urged President Trump to refrain from imposing tariffs as a retaliatory measure against China’s predatory trade practices — which

U.S. retailers urge Trump not to impose tariffs

U.S. retailers urge Trump not to impose tariffs

WASHINGTON — More than two dozen retail companies — including Walmart, Costco Wholesale Corp., Dollar Tree Inc. and Target Corp. — sent a letter on Monday to President Trump urging him to refrain from imposing tariffs on China and alleging that American families would be hurt by such a move. In a separate letter to

NRF’s Davis named NRF Foundation president

NRF’s Davis named NRF Foundation president

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation (NRF) on Monday named Ellen Davis president of the NRF Foundation, the NRF’s philanthropic arm. Davis will continue to serve NRF as the organization’s senior vice president for research and strategic initiatives. As president, Davis will oversee the foundation’s programs in job-readiness training, education, scholarships and credentialing. “Under Ellen’s

NRF: Retail sales stayed strong in January

NRF: Retail sales stayed strong in January

WASHINGTON – Retail sales in January were nearly as strong as during the holiday season, dropping only 0.26% on a seasonally adjusted basis from December, according to the National Retail Federation. And sales rose 5.4% compared to last January. “These numbers reinforce a positive start to 2018 that reflects ongoing consumer optimism brought about by

Online sales tax goes to high court

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association each welcomed the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to reenter the dispute over whether states should be able to require online retailers to collect and remit state sales taxes. Retailers and others had been expecting the court to take up the

Walmart’s McMillon talks tech, people

Walmart’s McMillon talks tech, people

NEW YORK — Despite the technology that is changing the way stores operate and consumers shop, retailing is still a people business, Walmart president and CEO Doug McMillon said on Sunday. “The way the customers feel when they leave the store, or your web site or app, determines how fast they’re going to come back,”

NRF: Holiday retail sales increased 5.5% in 2017

NRF: Holiday retail sales increased 5.5% in 2017

WASHINGTON – Citing U.S. Census data, the National Retail Federation reported Friday that retail sales during November and December increased 5.5% compared to last year, to reach $691.9 billion. That number includes $138.4 billion in online and other non-store sales, which were up 11.5% over the year before. The results exceeded NRF’s predicted increase of

Retailers successfully ‘navigate rough weather’

WASHINGTON — After the devastation of this hurricane season it’s hard to find a silver lining, but there’s a glimmer in the latest sales report from the National Retail Federation (NRF) driven by increased demand for building supplies. Retail sales — excluding automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants — in September increased 0.5% over August on

Retailing’s economic impact

Retailing’s economic impact

Retailers are speaking up about the contributions they make to the nation’s economy, in the hope that their needs will be taken into account when lawmakers rewrite the tax code. Earlier this month the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) released its “Grocery Industry Economic Impact” analysis, which quantifies the food retail industry’s annual economic impact. FMI’s

Retail industry hails GOP’s decision to shelve BAT

Retail industry hails GOP’s decision to shelve BAT

WASHINGTON — Retailers applauded congressional Republicans’ move to give up their pursuit of the border adjustment tax (BAT). Prior to GOP leaders’ announcement of the decision on Thursday, retailers that receive many of the goods they sell from overseas had expressed concerns about the BAT, claiming it would pass hefty costs on to ­consumers. The

Shrinkage rates keep increasing

WASHINGTON — U.S. retailers collectively sustained a $48.9 billion hit from theft and other inventory shrinkage in 2016, according to the annual National Retail Security Survey. That’s an 8% increase from a year earlier and came as budget constraints prompted some retailers to cut spending on security, according to the survey, released last month by