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The National Retail Federation will announce today a new initiative to broaden and enhance perceptions of the industry beyond providing consumers with great products. NRF’s This is Retail: Careers, Community, Innovation campaign, will highlight the industry’s opportunities for life-long careers, how retailers strengthen communities at home and abroad, and the critical role that retail plays in driving innovation.

The National Council of Chain Restaurants today issued the following statement from NCCR Executive Director Rob Green on the introduction of the Renewable Fuel Standard Reform Act, which seeks to limit the scope and costs of the federal government’s requirements on the use of corn-based ethanol and other biofuels:

The National Retail Federation today sent a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives to express its support for H.R. 1120, the Preventing Greater Uncertainty in Labor-Management Relations Act, which is expected to come to the House floor for a full vote later this week.

The National Retail Federation issued the following statement today from Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold on the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) vote approving a new, long-term master labor contract covering port terminal operations along the East and Gulf Coast ports:

With Customs officials saying they hope to minimize the impact of federal spending cuts on cargo processing, import volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 2.7 percent in April over the same month last year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by NRF and Hackett Associates.

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay on the March labor figures: “Today’s economic numbers on jobs and unemployment are disappointing, at best. "

Shop.org, the National Retail Federation’s digital division, is bringing together thought leading digital retail executives and solution providers to tackle some of the industry’s top challenges. The Shop.org Think Tank collaborates to identify and develop points of view on trends, business models, technologies and strategies that will shape the future of online retail and the role of digital in retail.

The National Retail Federation released the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay on the U.S. Senate’s passage of the marketplace fairness amendment to the FY14 budget resolution:

The National Retail Federation today released the following statement from NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay in support of the Jobs Originated Through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act:

Americans will celebrate Easter in style and on budget this year according to NRF’s Easter Spending Survey conducted by BIGinsight. Keeping cost and their shopping list in mind, the average person celebrating Easter will spend approximately $145.13 on candy, decor, apparel and food, flat with last year’s $145.28. Total spending will reach an estimated $17.2 billion.

From Motorola Solutions. To meet shopper expectations in the omnichannel world, you must be able to see what’s in-stock and where it’s located across all supply chain channels. This paper discusses how omnichannel retailing is changing end-to-end supply chain operations, especially when it comes to meeting customers' complex fulfillment demands. It also examines the growth in importance of direct-to-customer shipping and offers suggestions for how retailers can utilize technology to make all the components of the supply chain work seamlessly together.

Retail sales beat estimates in February as consumers quickly adapted and adjusted their spending in response to an increase in payroll taxes and higher gasoline prices. According to the National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association, February retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted from January and increased 0.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

From The Retail Equation. Consumer technology companies like Apple no longer have the corner on the market for mobile technology at the point of sale. Recently, several major retailers have publicly announced the adoption of mobile retail practices to enhance the customer experience...and increase the bottom line. They understand that the longer a consumer waits in the store for customer service or in line to checkout, the longer they have to consider whether they need the items and the more likely they are to postpone the purchase or walk away all together. Mobile technology nearly eradicates this time hassle by offering the customer the opportunity to check stock or checkout from anywhere in the store. However, in doing so it can present challenges when trying to merge this sought after mobility with the concepts of best-in-class merchandise return capabilities, while keeping retail fraud under control.

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 2.3 percent in March over the same month last year despite federal spending cuts that could slow down cargo processing, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by NRF and Hackett Associates.

NRF welcomed introduction of House and Senate legislation that would repeal the employer mandate provision of the health care reform law scheduled to take effect next year.

he year’s biggest Irish holiday falls on a Sunday this year, but that won’t stop millions of Americans from celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in fun fashion. According to NRF’s St. Patrick’s Day Spending Survey conducted by BIGinsight, the average person will spend $35.27 on green attire, decor for their home and office, and festive food and drinks. Total spending is expected to grow to $4.7 billion.

From McGladrey. Retailers and vendors need to develop a new game plan to grow and prosper in tomorrow's environment. The first step is to engage in an intense self-analysis. This includes consumer research in order to determine the wants and needs of the target customer, increase the value proposition with new and differentiated merchandise, find a path to a more efficient sourcing and logistics structure, strengthen its brand (whether national or owned), and implement a multichannel distribution network. Success will be tied to customer satisfaction.

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statements from Chairman of the Board Stephen I. Sadove and President and CEO Matthew Shay on the retirement of David F. Vite as president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association:

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay on the retirement of David F. Vite as president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association:

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statements from Chairman of the Board Stephen I. Sadove and President and CEO Matthew Shay on the retirement of David F. Vite as president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association: