Message from President

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) represents America’s leading retailers, which support over 52 million hard-working Americans and are uniquely positioned to drive real change. Our 2025 Retail Public Policy Agenda offers ideas and policy recommendations that focus on economic growth, combating inflation, strengthening the U.S. workforce, and protecting local communities.

Retailers are an integral part of the fabric of every community. Retailers offer unique opportunities for people wanting to enter or rejoin the workforce. Retail is the place for a first job, a second chance, a third act, or a side hustle. And through the building of new stores, distribution centers, and upscaling of existing locations, retailers are important customers for local small businesses – landscapers, general contractors, electrical and HVAC specialists, and plumbers – that help spur economic development and support jobs in rural towns and urban cities across the country. Retailers take their commitment to employees and communities personally through philanthropic donations to local causes and leading relief recovery efforts after devastating natural disasters.

Leading retailers are dynamic, multifaceted businesses that begin on Main Street and stretch across the world to bring high-value, affordable consumer goods to American families. As Congress and the Trump administration move forward to adopt policies that reduce regulatory burdens, spur economic growth, and benefit American families, understanding how these policies will impact retailers and the communities we serve is imperative. RILA and its member companies look forward to collaborating with policymakers to provide industry-specific insights and data to help shape any policies under consideration.