NRF Washington Retail Insight News

Enzi Tells NRF Conference Sales Tax Fairness Could Pass This Year

J. Craig Shearman — Wed, 16 May 12 12:00:00 -0400

The lead sponsor of sales tax fairness legislation told retailers attending NRF’s Washington Leadership Conference today that he hopes to see the measure passed this year but that he needs merchants from across the country to push Congress to act.

“We need to get this passed and this is the year we need to pass it,” Senator Michael Enzi, R-Wyo., said. “Let’s get it out of the way this year.”

“It’s time that we made it as fair for Main Street retailers and shopping center stores as it is for sellers from out of state,” Enzi said.

Enzi spoke during a lunch at the U.S. Capitol as Main Street store owners, CEOs of national retail chains, state retail association executives and other retailers took a break...

Visa Waits 'Nearly Eliminated' for U.S.-Bound Chinese Shoppers

J. Craig Shearman — Tue, 15 May 12 12:00:00 -0400

The State Department says it has dramatically reduced the time it takes for citizens of China and Brazil to obtain visas needed to travel to the United States and shop in U.S. stores.

Staffing increases and other steps to improve efficiency have “nearly eliminated” waits of 120 days or more to obtain a visa interview in China, and have cut the wait in Brazil from more than 100 days to below 10 days, “at many posts,” the department said. The number of visas processed in the first six months of the current fiscal year was up 46 percent in China and 59 percent in Brazil.

Anticipating more visa applications, the State Department is increasing visa processing staff by 50 percent in China and 100 percent in Brazil this year.

The...

Judge Strikes Down 'Ambush' Union Elections

J. Craig Shearman — Tue, 15 May 12 12:00:00 -0400

A federal judge has struck down National Labor Relations Board regulations allowing unions to hold “ambush” organizing elections opposed by NRF, saying the panel did not have a quorum when it approved the new rules late last year.

“According to Woody Allen, 80 percent of life is just showing up,” U.S. District Judge James Boasberg said in an 18-page ruling issued Monday. “In this case, because no quorum ever existed for the pivotal vote in question, the court must hold that the challenged rule is invalid.”

The regulations won final approval in December, with board Democrats Mark Pearce and Craig Becker, who has since stepped down, voting in their favor. The five-member board had two vacancies at the time and its only Republican,...

House Votes to Block Restrictions on Criminal Background Checks

J. Craig Shearman — Wed, 09 May 12 12:00:00 -0400

The House today voted to block new Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines that NRF is concerned could affect retailers’ ability to use criminal background checks to screen job applicants.

The voice vote to bar funding to implement the guidelines came on an amendment offered by Representative Ben Quayle, R-Ariz., to an appropriations bill under consideration. While the amendment passed, it could face an uphill battle to remain in the final version of the bill.

“A background check is an important resource for employers who seek to provide a safe and stable work environment,” NRF Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French said in a letter...

NRF Says Census Survey Should Remain Mandatory

J. Craig Shearman — Wed, 09 May 12 12:00:00 -0400

NRF is telling Congress that an annual survey conducted as part of the U.S. Census should continue to be mandatory despite a House vote to kill it.

“ACS is vitally important to the retail industry because it allows retailers to better serve their customers,” NRF Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French said. “Retailers use ACS data to make decisions on a daily basis concerning investment in new facilities, the availability of qualified workers and the need for job training programs, the characteristics of the communities we serve, and the need for new stores.”

French’s comments came in a letter to members of the House, which on...

Economy and Job Creation to be Key Issues at Election-Year Washington Leadership Conference

J. Craig Shearman — Wed, 09 May 12 12:00:00 -0400

Public policy initiatives that boost the economy and job creation will be the priority as retailers from across the country gather next week for an election-year edition of NRF’s annual Washington Leadership Conference.

“As policymakers craft legislation that impacts Main Street businesses and the nation’s economy, retailers’ voices are essential to the ongoing debate in Washington,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said in a

NRF Urges Congress to Fix Law on Imported Wooden Merchandise

J. Craig Shearman — Tue, 08 May 12 12:00:00 -0400

NRF today urged Congress to review and revise controversial rules on the importation of wood products and plant material that retailers fear could lead to unfair government seizure of merchandise ranging from furniture to musical instruments.

“Retailers recognize the need for environmental conservation but the current law leaves them guessing on which products are legal and which aren’t,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Congress needs to carefully review the Lacey Act to ensure that the goal of eliminating illegal logging is its primary objective, not penalizing businesses that are doing their best to comply with an unworkable law.”

Shay...

Increases in Retail Container Traffic Expected Through Back-to-School Season

J. Craig Shearman — Mon, 07 May 12 12:00:00 -0400

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports will be flat in May compared with the same month last year, but is expected to see solid year-over-year increases through this summer and the back-to-school season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by NRF and Hackett Associates.

“Consumers are spending despite gas prices and other economic concerns, so retailers are stocking up to meet the demand,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “These numbers show imports growing through the back-to-school season and even into beginning of the shipping cycle for the holiday season. That’s...

'Ambush' Union Organizing Rules Take Effect

J. Craig Shearman — Wed, 02 May 12 12:00:00 -0400

Controversial “ambush” regulations dramatically shortening the time retailers and other employers have to prepare for union organizing elections took effect this week after a judge turned down a last-minute request to put the rules on hold while hearing a lawsuit brought by a coalition representing NRF.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled against the Coalition for a Democratic Workforce on Friday afternoon, saying a stay wasn’t necessary because he plans to issue a ruling on the coalition’s lawsuit by May 15.

That cleared the way for the regulations to take effect on Monday as scheduled, and the National Labor Relations Board issued a 24-page guidance

Senators Call for More Flexible Textile and Apparel Trade Rules

J. Craig Shearman — Wed, 02 May 12 12:00:00 -0400

A bipartisan group of senators this week called on President Obama to support more flexible rules on textiles and apparels in negotiations over the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, saying a controversial “yarn-forward” rule has limited the usefulness of other recent pacts.

“The current U.S. proposal on rules of origin takes an overly broad approach in advocating a yarn-forward position for nearly all apparel products,” the seven Democrats and eight Republicans said in a letter. “We ask you to take a new approach which reflects the significant value created by American retailers, apparel brands, manufacturers and importers as well as domestic...