Content about Congress

April 17, 2013

Grocery retailers, wholesalers and food industry state association executives representing more than 30 states assembled in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to urge Congress to act on pro-business reforms that impact their industry.

Washington, D.C. -- Grocery retailers, wholesalers and food industry state association executives representing more than 30 states assembled in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to urge Congress to act on pro-business reforms that impact their industry.

January 14, 2013

The National Retail Federation board of directors said it has adopted a resolution directing NRF to “strongly encourage” Congress to enact comprehensive tax reform in 2013, and it set out a list of principles aimed at achieving tax policy that would boost the economy and encourage job growth.

New York -- The National Retail Federation board of directors said Monday it has adopted a resolution directing NRF to “strongly encourage” Congress to enact comprehensive tax reform in 2013, and it set out a list of principles aimed at achieving tax policy that would boost the economy and encourage job growth.

January 3, 2013

By Kristin Graham Koehler and Brian P. Morrissey, Sidley Austin LLP

By Kristin Graham Koehler, kkoehler@sidley.com; and Brian P. Morrissey, bmorrissey@sidley.com

January 2, 2013

The National Retail Federation on Wednesday welcomed an agreement reached between the White House and Congress on a plan to avoid the fiscal cliff.

WASHINGTON -- The National Retail Federation on Wednesday welcomed an agreement reached between the White House and Congress on a plan to avoid the fiscal cliff. The agreement was approved by the Senate early this morning and could be considered by the House as soon as today.


November 28, 2012

By Brendan W. Walsh, Pashman Stein, P.C.

By Brendan W. Walsh, bwalsh@pashmanstein.com

November 14, 2012

The National Retail Federation on Wednesday urged President Obama and Congress to come up with a plan to avoid the “fiscal cliff” by Thanksgiving, saying uncertainty over the pending combination of tax hikes and spending cuts threatens consumer confidence during the holiday shopping season that begins on Black Friday.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation on Wednesday urged President Obama and Congress to come up with a plan to avoid the “fiscal cliff” by Thanksgiving, saying uncertainty over the pending combination of tax hikes and spending cuts threatens consumer confidence during the holiday shopping season that begins on Black Friday.

November 7, 2012

The National Retail Federation said it looked forward to continuing to work with President Obama and the new Congress toward the goal of putting Americans back to work and ensuring that the nation’s economy remains the strongest in the world.

New York -- The National Retail Federation on Wednesday said it looked forward to continuing to work with President Obama and the new Congress toward the goal of putting Americans back to work and ensuring that the nation’s economy remains the strongest in the world.

August 21, 2012

As a prelude to the upcoming World Retail Congress in London (September 19- 21), five retail leaders who will be speaking at the event participated in the following Q&A:

As a prelude to the upcoming World Retail Congress in London (Sept. 19-21), five retail leaders who will be speaking at the event participated in the following Q&A:

What would you say is the biggest issue facing retailers today?
 

August 13, 2012

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has taken issue with an opinion piece that appears in the August 1, 2012, issue of the Wall Street Journal.

From J.C. Penney to Target to Selfridges, retailers across the spectrum are giving over valuable floor space to in-store shops. Here are some interesting observations on the phenomenon from Joanna Felder, VP intelligence and brand strategy at Chute Gerdeman, Columbus, Ohio.

Shop-in-shops offer retailers the magic formula of flexibility, brand-enhancing cachet and the ability to attract new customer segments. The opportunity has never been better for young, entrepreneurial hip brands to find a mainstream home.

August 10, 2012

By Craig LaRosa, Continuum

By Craig LaRosa, clarosa@continuuminnovation.com

A consumer walks into a store, tries on a pair of running shoes, and then hops online to buy them from someone else—10% to 15% cheaper. It’s called “showrooming” and it has a lot of businesses scrambling.

August 1, 2012

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has taken issue with an opinion piece that appears in the August 1, 2012, issue of the Wall Street Journal.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has taken issue with an opinion piece that appears in the August 1, 2012, issue of the Wall Street Journal. The piece, written by United States Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), is about the Marketplace Fairness Act (the legislation would end special treatment for online-only retailers who currently exploit a decade’s old loophole to avoid collecting and remitting state sales tax, according to RILA).

July 23, 2012

The National Retail Federation reiterated its call on Congress to address a loophole that allows most online sellers to avoid sales tax collection to the detriment of local retailers and communities.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation reiterated its call on Congress to address a loophole that allows most online sellers to avoid sales tax collection to the detriment of local retailers and communities.

June 28, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court has just ruled that, while the individual mandate to buy health insurance is unconstitutional, this key part of President Obama’s signature healthcare law can stay as part of Congress’s power under a taxing clause.

New York -- The U.S. Supreme Court has just ruled that, while the individual mandate to buy health insurance is unconstitutional, this key part of President Obama’s signature healthcare law can stay as part of Congress’s power under a taxing clause.

In other words, the Supreme Court says that the government will be allowed to tax people for not having health insurance.

March 21, 2012

By Theodore J. Kobus III, Esq., Baker & Hostetler LLP

By Theodore J. Kobus III, Esq., tkobus@bakerlaw.com

February 22, 2012

The National Retail Federation expressed its support for President Obama's proposal for business tax reform, and pledged to work with the White House and Congress to win passage of legislation that would significantly lower rates in order to help retailers and other businesses create jobs.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation expressed its support for President Obama's proposal for business tax reform, and pledged to work with the White House and Congress to win passage of legislation that would significantly lower rates in order to help retailers and other businesses create jobs.

October 12, 2011

The International Council of Shopping Centers released a statement that it is in support of the Marketplace Equity Act, which was introduced to Congress on Wednesday.

Washington, D.C. -- The International Council of Shopping Centers released a statement that it is in support of the Marketplace Equity Act, which was introduced to Congress on Wednesday.

September 28, 2011

360buy.com was named the Pure Play Etailer of the Year at the Oracle World Retail Awards, which took place during the annual World Retail Congress in Berlin.

Berlin -- 360buy.com was named the Pure Play Etailer of the Year at the Oracle World Retail Awards, which took place during the annual World Retail Congress in Berlin.

Operated by Jing Dong Mall, China’s largest online retailer, 360buy.com provides customers with home appliances, digital devices, computers, household items, clothing and accessories, baby products, books, and food, plus 11 other large product categories, including more than 10,000 brand names and 800,000 SKUs.

September 28, 2011

Burberry, Walgreens, Ralph Lauren’s Roger Farrah and Tesco were among the winners at the annual Oracle World Retail Awards, which took place on Tuesday during the annual World Retail Congress in Berlin.

Chicago -- Burberry, Walgreens, Ralph Lauren’s Roger Farrah and Tesco were among the winners at the annual Oracle World Retail Awards, which took place on Tuesday during the annual World Retail Congress in Berlin.

Burberry took home the Retailer of the Year Award. The luxury brand was cited for its far-sighted leadership, professionalism and a compelling offer across multiple platforms.

September 28, 2011

Across Europe, it is men who are driving the charge into Internet shopping, according to a new study by CB Richard Ellis (CBRE).

London -- Across Europe, it is men who are driving the charge into Internet shopping, according to a new study by CB Richard Ellis (CBRE). The report, released at the World Retail Congress in Berlin, finds that while women have driven in-store shopping, men shop nearly twice as often online as women (buying once every 2.5 weeks versus once a month).

Among the key findings:

September 22, 2011

The National Retail Federation said Thursday it welcomed legislation that would require the State Department to speed up the visa application process for citizens from three key countries, saying the move would make it easier for tourists and business travelers to spend money in U.S. stores.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation said Thursday it welcomed legislation that would require the State Department to speed up the visa application process for citizens from three key countries, saying the move would make it easier for tourists and business travelers to spend money in U.S. stores.

September 2, 2011

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has never shied away from supporting causes he believes in. But he has really gone on the offensive with his latest passions: political gridlock and the jobs crisis.

May 3, 2011

Retailers from around the world have until May 20 to enter the annual global competition, the Oracle World Retail Awards.

New York City -- Retailers from around the world have until May 20 to enter the annual global competition, the Oracle World Retail Awards. Online entry is open at worldretailcongress.com.

The awards, designed to recognize the outstanding innovation and creativity delivered by l retailers worldwide, are presented each year at a gala event during the World Retail Congress. This year’s presentation will be held Sept. 27 in Berlin.

The winners in 2010 were as follows:

April 27, 2011

T. Stacy & Associates, who has been involved with some of Austin’s most iconic buildings, announced that it will reconfigure street-level space in its headquarters building at 823 Congress Avenue to a size and quality sufficient to attract a major retailer and that it has begun an aggressive search to find the “perfect tenant.”

Austin, Texas -- T. Stacy & Associates, who has been involved with some of Austin’s most iconic buildings, announced that it will reconfigure street-level space in its headquarters building at 823 Congress Avenue to a size and quality sufficient to attract a major retailer and that it has begun an aggressive search to find the “perfect tenant.”

December 7, 2010

The National Retail Federation has announced its support of a tentative bipartisan agreement that would temporarily extend Bush-era tax cuts for all taxpayers regardless of income in return for extending unemployment benefits.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation has announced its support of a tentative bipartisan agreement that would temporarily extend Bush-era tax cuts for all taxpayers regardless of income in return for extending unemployment benefits.

November 2, 2010

Well, it’s election week. This year, as with many non-presidential election years, the story has been about control of Congress.