Content about Retail Industry Leaders Association

May 7, 2013
Senate approves online sales tax bill, House next stop for Marketplace Fairness Act proponents

The U.S. Senate passed the Marketplace Fairness Act, which would enable states to collect sales tax on online transactions, to widespread applause from big-box retail.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Monday passed the Marketplace Fairness Act, which would enable states to collect sales tax on online transactions, to widespread applause from big-box retail. If passed the act would remove the up-to 7% price advantage out-of-state online retailers have over brick-and-click or brick-and-mortar retailers operating and collecting sales taxes within the state. (For a comprehensive list of state sales taxes, click here.) 

April 26, 2013
Senate to make final decision on Marketplace Fairness Act May 6

The Marketplace Fairness Act is one step closer to passing. The Senate voted 63-30 to end debate on the bill, which would compel online retailers to collect state taxes, and will make a final decision on the bill on May 6.

WASHINGTON — The Marketplace Fairness Act is one step closer to passing. The Senate voted 63-30 Thursday to end debate on the bill, which would compel online retailers to collect state taxes, and will make a final decision on the bill on May 6. 

September 17, 2012
California becomes latest state to require online retailers to collect sales taxes

As of Saturday, California became the latest state to implement "sales tax fairness," in requiring online-only retailers to begin collecting sales taxes on products sold to California residents.

ARLINGTON, Va. — As of Saturday, California became the latest state to implement "sales tax fairness," in requiring online-only retailers to begin collecting sales taxes on products sold to California residents.

August 8, 2012
RILA to presidential candidates: Pursue pro-retail policies

The Retail Industry Leaders Association is urging President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney to consider the retail industry's role in the U.S. economy as the presidential candidates "advance their visions for the future."

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association is urging President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney to consider the retail industry's role in the U.S. economy as the presidential candidates "advance their visions for the future."

July 17, 2012
Study to explore retail crime potential of new point-of-sale technology

Researchers at the University of Arkansas's business school are looking into the potential for criminals to exploit new retail technologies like mobile coupons and touchless payment, the university said Tuesday.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Researchers at the University of Arkansas's business school are looking into the potential for criminals to exploit new retail technologies like mobile coupons and touchless payment, the university said Tuesday.

The researchers, from the university's Walton College of Business, will work with the Retail Industry Leaders Association to address risks associated with the new technologies.

July 6, 2012
White House to meet with retail leaders on Affordable Care Act implementation issues

White House officials have agreed to meet with members of the retail industry to discuss issues associated with implementation of the health-reform law, responding to the industry's July 2 letter urging the administration to immediately release "long overdue" regulations that would allow employers to move forward on the law's requirements.

NEW YORK — White House officials have agreed to meet with members of the retail industry to discuss issues associated with implementation of the health-reform law, responding to the industry's July 2 letter urging the administration to immediately release "long overdue" regulations that would allow employers to move forward on the law's requirements.

June 29, 2012
RILA responds to ACA passage

The upholding of the individual mandate within the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act by the Supreme Court drew a response from several industry groups, including the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The upholding of the individual mandate within the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act by the Supreme Court drew a response from several industry groups, including the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

RILA president Sandy Kennedy said the focus now should shift to the employer mandate and the effect the changes to employer-sponsored coverage.

June 20, 2012
Unilever president elected to RILA board of directors

The Retail Industry Leaders Association announced the addition of a Unilever executive to its board of directors.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association announced the addition of a Unilever executive to its board of directors.

RILA said Joseph Cavaliere, president of Unilever's customer development, was elected at the organization's semiannual meeting on Tuesday. RILA's board members are elected to two-year terms.

March 7, 2012
RILA releases comprehensive supply chain industry report

The Retail Industry Leaders Association, in partnership with Auburn University and with sponsorship from Accenture, on Wednesday released the third annual State of The Retail Supply Chain report.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association, in partnership with Auburn University and with sponsorship from Accenture, on Wednesday released the third annual State of The Retail Supply Chain report.

@RILAtweets will moderate a live Twitter chat March 7 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. EST via #RILAchat to discuss the report findings.

January 23, 2012
RILA elects new members for board of directors

The Retail Industry Leaders Association has appointed new members to its board of directors, including a new board chairman.

NAPLES, Fla. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association has appointed new members to its board of directors, including a new board chairman.

RILA said Target chairman, president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel was appointed RILA chairman of the board. Steinhafel, who previously served as vice chairman, succeeds Bill Rhodes, who currently serves as chairman, president and CEO of AutoZone.

October 7, 2011
When organized retail crime rises, store-level awareness needs to, too

Mom isn't the only one making a shopping list these days. And any of those extreme couponers armed with a pair of scissors, a load of circulars and coupon clippings, and a shopping list of their own, well, they're not the problem, either. The problem is the leaders of organized retail crime units who are making those shopping lists, walking into a store, hitting a display case and walking right back out — all before the manager has a chance to say, "Um, excuse me sir? Can I help you?"

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Mom isn't the only one making a shopping list these days. And any of those extreme couponers armed with a pair of scissors, a load of circulars and coupon clippings, and a shopping list of their own, well, they're not the problem, either. The problem is the leaders of organized retail crime units who are making those shopping lists, walking into a store, hitting a display case and walking right back out — all before the manager has a chance to say, "Um, excuse me sir? Can I help you?"

October 6, 2011
Survey: Organized retail crime, individual shoplifting both on the rise

More than half of retail respondents to a survey conducted by the Retail Industry Leaders Association recently reported an increase in the frequency with which organized rings committed shoplifting, and 41% saw an increase in shoplifting by individuals acting alone.

ARLINGTON, Va. — More than half of retail respondents to a survey conducted by the Retail Industry Leaders Association recently reported an increase in the frequency with which organized rings committed shoplifting, and 41% saw an increase in shoplifting by individuals acting alone. As many as 64% of respondents reported an increase in theft of pharmaceutical products, according to the 2011 Crime Trends and Leading Practices Survey released Thursday by RILA.

July 14, 2011
RILA members arrive in Joplin, Mo., to help cleanup efforts

Members of the Retail Industry Leaders Association on Wednesday arrived in Joplin, Mo., to help clean up the Midwest city that was hard-hit in May by a category F-5 tornado.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Members of the Retail Industry Leaders Association on Wednesday arrived in Joplin, Mo., to help clean up the Midwest city that was hard-hit in May by a category F-5 tornado.

June 23, 2011
RILA expands board

The Retail Industry Leaders Association announced that the leaders of Sears Holdings and 7-Eleven have been named to its board of directors.

WASHINGTON — The Retail Industry Leaders Association announced that the leaders of Sears Holdings and 7-Eleven have been named to its board of directors.

RILA announced the appointments of Louis D'Ambrosio, Sears Holdings president and CEO, and Joseph DePinto, 7-Eleven president and CEO, to its board at RILA's semi-annual meeting held this week in Washington, D.C.

May 3, 2011
RILA names new VP government relations

The Retail Industry Leaders Association announced that Christine Pollack has joined the association as VP government relations, focusing on healthcare policy and serving as one of RILA’s lead advocates on core retail industry priorities.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association announced that Christine Pollack has joined the association as VP government relations, focusing on healthcare policy and serving as one of RILA’s lead advocates on core retail industry priorities.

October 24, 2010
RILA names VP government affairs

The Retail Industry Leaders Association has announced the addition of longtime Capitol Hill veteran Doug...

August 16, 2010
Former National Retail Federation executive joins FMI

The Food Marketing Institute last week appointed a new VP industry relations....

February 22, 2010
Dollar General CEO delivers keynote address at RILA conference

The Retail Industry Leaders Association's 2010 Logistics Conference kicked off Monday with a keynote address...