NRF Will Opt Out of Credit Card Swipe Fee Settlement

J. Craig Shearman — Tue, 21 May 13 12:00:00 -0400

NRF announced today that it will formally oppose a proposed settlement of a federal antitrust lawsuit over credit card swipe fees charged by Visa and MasterCard, and urged retailers to carefully consider their own decisions before next week’s deadline set by the court.

“The proposed settlement does nothing to bring swipe fees under control and would give Visa and MasterCard a legal blessing to continue their abuse of merchants and consumers indefinitely,” NRF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Mallory Duncan said. “No settlement at all would be better than this one-sided ‘agreement’ written by the card companies for the card companies that would tie...

Retail Imports Could See Standstill by August

J. Craig Shearman — Tue, 21 May 13 12:00:00 -0400

Import volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 3.3 percent in May over the same month last year but growth could trickle to a standstill by the end of the summer, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by NRF and Hackett Associates.

“The weak cargo increases expected over the next few months are consistent with other signs that the economy is slowly improving but show that retailers remain cautious, especially when it comes to stocking their inventories,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “We’re looking at barely 1 percent of year-over-year growth through the early...

Building on Sales Tax Victory in Senate, Sponsor Predicts Passage in House

J. Craig Shearman — Wed, 08 May 13 12:00:00 -0400

With sales tax fairness legislation passed by the Senate, the lead House sponsor of the measure urged retailers at NRF’s Washington Leadership Conference this week to keep up pressure to move the measure toward enactment.

“They have marched this ball down the field in an extraordinary way,” Representative Steve Womack, R-Ark., said, referring to Senate sponsors. “If we’re not successful at marching this through the House, we’d might as well put up a billboard and say ‘shop on the Internet because it’s tax free and always will be tax free.’ ”

Senate Passes Sales Tax Fairness Bill, Fight Moves to House

J. Craig Shearman — Mon, 06 May 13 12:00:00 -0400

Sales tax fairness legislation easily passed the Senate Monday night, giving brick-and-mortar retailers a long-sought victory over online competitors but setting the stage for what could be months of debate in the House.

The Marketplace Fairness Act was approved 69-27, marking a high point in efforts that began a dozen years ago but had previously failed to get a bill through either chamber of Congress. The measure would allow states to require online retailers to collect sales tax the same as local stores, effectively overturning a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said collection could be required only in states where the seller has a physical location such as a store, office or warehouse. States that...

New Study Says Imports Lower Prices While Creating Jobs

J. Craig Shearman — Mon, 06 May 13 12:00:00 -0400

Imported merchandise has considerably lowered the price of consumer goods for American families while creating millions of jobs for American workers, according to a new study conducted for NRF and other trade associations.

“Imports provide American families with products they need at prices they can afford, and also create jobs that keep those families prosperous,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Retailers sell millions of imported items while U.S. manufacturers rely heavily on imported parts and raw materials to create the exports they ship around the world. Imports are a win for every segment of our nation’s economy, from the factory floor to the...

Tax Policy Among Issues at NRF Washington Leadership Conference

J. Craig Shearman — Fri, 03 May 13 12:00:00 -0400

Sales tax fairness, comprehensive tax reform and frivolous lawsuits filed by “patent trolls” will be among the top issues as retailers from across the country gather for NRF’s annual Washington leadership conference next week.

CEOs from many of the nation’s top retail brands will be on hand for a meeting of the NRF Board of Directors on Monday, while retail lobbyists, state retail association executives and Main Street store owners will meet Tuesday and Wednesday to hear keynote speakers, participate in committee meetings and lobby on...

NRF Seeks Retailer Input on Transportation Funding Options

J. Craig Shearman — Fri, 26 Apr 13 12:00:00 -0400

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Sales Tax Fairness Moving Quickly Through Senate, Final Vote to Come During NRF Conference

J. Craig Shearman — Thu, 25 Apr 13 12:00:00 -0400

Legislation that would allow states to require online sellers to collect sales tax moved rapidly through the Senate this week and could see final passage when lawmakers return from next week's recess.

Senators voted 74-20 on Monday to begin debate on S. 743, the Marketplace Fairness Act, sponsored by Senator Michael Enzi, R-Wyo., and 75-22 on Wednesday to proceed toward a vote on passage. This evening they voted 63-40 to complete debate and return May 6 for action on an amendment offered by the bill's sponsors and -- if the amendment is approved -- final passage. That would place the vote during the week of NRF's annual

Senate to Vote Monday on Sales Tax Fairness

J. Craig Shearman — Fri, 19 Apr 13 12:00:00 -0400

The Senate is preparing to vote next week on sales tax fairness legislation, building on momentum from a test vote last month that appeared to show a majority of senators are ready to level the playing field between Main Street retailers and online competitors.

Senators are scheduled to hold a procedural vote on Monday that will determine whether they will officially take up S. 743, the Marketplace Fairness Act, sponsored by Senator Michael Enzi, R-Wyo. If the motion passes, senators would begin debate on the bill itself and on what is expected to be a large number of amendments, including poison pills likely to be offered by opponents.

The procedural motion would need 60 votes to pass, but...

NRF Plans 'Full and Rigorous Analysis' of Immigration Bill

J. Craig Shearman — Fri, 19 Apr 13 12:00:00 -0400

NRF welcomed immigration reform legislation introduced in the Senate this week but plans to take a close look to determine the measure’s impact on the retail industry.

“Immigration reform is long overdue and is truly an economic and workforce priority,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “NRF looks forward to working with Congress and the Administration in support of a practical, comprehensive and workable immigration system that addresses the new economy and new workforce. Protecting and safeguarding employers, retailers and the broader workforce...

NRF Washington Retail Insight News

NRF Will Opt Out of Credit Card Swipe Fee Settlement

Retail Imports Could See Standstill by August

Building on Sales Tax Victory in Senate, Sponsor Predicts Passage in House

Senate Passes Sales Tax Fairness Bill, Fight Moves to House

New Study Says Imports Lower Prices While Creating Jobs

Tax Policy Among Issues at NRF Washington Leadership Conference

NRF Seeks Retailer Input on Transportation Funding Options

Sales Tax Fairness Moving Quickly Through Senate, Final Vote to Come During NRF Conference

Senate to Vote Monday on Sales Tax Fairness

NRF Plans 'Full and Rigorous Analysis' of Immigration Bill