Retailers Look to State of the Union Address for Economic Focus 

Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) President Sandy Kennedy offered the following statement in advance of President Obama’s State of the Union Address.

“Given the fragile state of the economy, continued job losses, and an uncertain path forward on a number of high profile legislative issues, President Obama’s State of the Union address tonight will be of great interest to all Americans.  Like many consumers and businesses across America, the retail industry will be listening closely to President Obama’s address in the hopes that the President and Congress will focus their attention on issues that will stimulate job growth and provide employers the regulatory predictability needed to grow and retain their workforces.

“The retail industry hopes to hear a clear vision from the President that focuses on meaningful incentives to spur job creation and increase consumer confidence and not one that includes harmful giveaways to organized labor or imposes costly burdens on employers. Further, RILA will be listening for ways to work with the President to bring transparency and fairness to the fees Visa, MasterCard and their issuing banks charge merchants who accept credit cards. 

“We are interested to hear the President speak about his plans for health care reform and the potential for common ground on this critical issue. RILA supports the goals behind reform, but has spoken out strongly against the House and Senate health care reform legislation, which undermines the quality and affordability of health care insurance RILA members offer their employees and will stifle retail job growth for years to come.

“Finally, with record state budget shortfalls, the retail industry will be listening to President Obama’s vision for the year ahead, prepared to support modernizing the tax system to enable states to collect the billions of dollars in state sales taxes that go uncollected every year.

“RILA and its members are committed to continuing to work constructively with the President and Congress to address the issues facing our industry and its customers.”

RILA is the trade association of the world’s largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.

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