Human Resources

The National Retail Federation has announced changes to its organizational structure to achieve new priorities outlined in a strategic plan recently approved by its Board of Directors.

Retailers in 2011 will be intent on actively growing their businesses and improving customer insight capabilities, in addition to continuing efforts begun during the economic downturn to stabilize operating costs and focus on financial discipline, according to a report from the National Retail Federation’s research and education arm, the NRF Foundation, and KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm.

• NRF is forecasting a 2.3% growth in holiday sales in 2010, over last year's actual 0.4% growth
• Holiday sales are expected to total $447.1 billion
• Retailers are expected to leverage new channels, like mobile, to drive sales and provide added service to customers who want to shop anytime

According to the National Retail Federation, April retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) increased 0.5 percent seasonally adjusted over March and 4.6 percent unadjusted year-over-year. With a constantly-shifting Easter holiday, retailers typically look at March and April sales combined to gauge consumer spending. Sales for the two months increased 5.6 percent unadjusted over last year.

The National Retail Federation today announced that 37 organizations have joined NRF’s growing membership in the first quarter of 2010.

Deloitte and the National Retail Federation (NRF) have released the results of a comprehensive survey designed to provide an in-depth look into where retailers are succeeding on the talent front. The survey results also reveal gaps that present opportunities for improvement in retail talent management programs.

National Retail Federation Chairman Terry Lundgren, the Chairman, President and CEO of Macy’s, Inc., announced today that Matt Shay has been selected to serve as the next President and CEO of NRF. Shay will be elected formally at the June 22 NRF Board meeting.

The National Retail Federation expressed disappointment at today’s Senate passage of health care reform legislation, saying the measure does little to reduce costs for businesses and is likely to result in further retail job losses. NRF said the vote would be included in its annual ranking of key issues important to the retail industry.

The National Retail Federation expressed disappointment at the Senate’s early morning vote today on health care reform legislation, and said the vote would be included in its annual ranking of key issues important to the retail industry.

The National Retail Federation today asked the Senate to reject health care reform legislation set for a series of votes over the next several days, calling the measure “the biggest anti-stimulus legislation imaginable” and expressing concern that it would prompt further job losses in the retail industry and other sectors of the economy. NRF said consideration of the legislation would be included in its annual ranking of key votes important to the retail industry.

The National Retail Federation today welcomed an amendment to Senate health care reform legislation offered by Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., that would remove onerous penalties on employers who require workers to wait more than 30 days to become eligible for health insurance coverage.

The National Retail Federation today expressed disappointment in the Senate health care reform bill introduced by Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

The National Retail Federation today asked the House to reject health care reform legislation scheduled for debate this weekend, saying a pay-or-play mandate that employers provide health insurance to their workers or pay a financial penalty would force retailers to lay off workers in order to cover the added labor costs. NRF said consideration of the legislation would be counted as a key vote in NRF’s annual ranking of lawmakers on issues important to the retail industry.