Finance
- Home
- Focus Areas
- Finance
Overview
Central to our finance offerings, RILA is focused on engendering retail-like competition across the ecosystem, taking proactive steps to limit risks to brands, and removing barriers to financial success for our members. That includes advocating for policies that level the playing field for all businesses and serving as a resource as retailers navigate today's economic landscape and evolving regulatory requirements.
We foster collaborative communities of retail leaders that share in those goals and who help inform our efforts in reaching them. In addition, we work closely with relevant government agencies including the Federal Reserve and Federal Trade Commission to ensure the retail perspective is considered in their decision-making processes.
Why Finance Matters to Retail
The retail industry remains one of the most competitive industries operating in the marketplace today, driven by highly empowered consumers with more choices at their fingertips than ever before. That level of competition means retailers must be highly strategic with their customer-facing decisions, but perhaps even more thoughtful with their internal decision-making. How retailers approach things like regulatory requirements, internal audit, tax policy, and more can be the difference when it comes to long term success of the business.
Our Priorities
RILA believes that strong competition in industries connected to retail will benefit consumers and allow retailers to thrive. Nonetheless, the 21st century economy now includes powerful players in far less competitive industries including telecommunications, technology platforms, and global card networks that are negatively impacting the retail sector. RILA is encouraging policymakers to scrutinize these areas closely and take strategic action in multiple branches of government to maintain a healthy market.
Merchants in the United States pay some of the highest interchange rates or “swipe fees” in the world. These fees are a significant cost for merchants – often the second or third largest expense after labor. The global card companies, along with major issuers, establish these rates in an anticompetitive manner. The retail community is seeking reforms to promote competition and transparency in the payments ecosystem.
Following the passage of a historic tax reform package in 2017, RILA is focused on helping its members navigate implementation and identify the wide range of guidance and technical corrections to the legislation that will need to be issued to ensure Congressional intent is followed and to shape the compliance obligations for all businesses in the coming years.
On June 21, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in South Dakota v. Wayfair and expressly overturned its 1967 Bellas Hess and 1992 Quill decisions that had prevented states from requiring online-only retailers to collect and remit sales/use tax. RILA is helping states utilize the Court’s decision through legislation and/or regulation to level the sales tax collection playing field. RILA is also working with Congress to ensure that any federal legislation does not impede progress in the states.
A Deeper Look into Finance

Tax Reform
RILA is committed to promoting pro-growth tax policy that benefits retail and the American families we serve each day.
Learn More
Online Sales Tax
In 2018 the U.S. Supreme Court overturned their longstanding decision in Quill and changed the entire landscape for the retail industry.
Learn More
Border Adjustment Tax Campaign
RILA successfully led a multi-faceted campaign to end the dangerously flawed border adjustment tax (BAT).
Learn MoreCapitalize Green
RILA has developed a toolbox of resources to help retail finance teams understand the opportunities presented by sustainability. Explore the issue and resources below to learn more about how your company can #CapitalizeGreen.
Learn MoreFinance Committees
We foster collaborative communities of retail leaders that share in those goals and who help inform our efforts in reaching them. In addition, we work closely with relevant government agencies including the Federal Reserve and Federal Trade Commission to ensure the retail perspective is considered in their decision-making processes.
View All CommitteesRetail CEO Forum 2020
- Jan 19 - Jan 21, 2020
- Palm Beach, FL
The Retail CEO Forum is the once-yearly, invitation-only event for CEOs from the most recognized retail brands in the industry.
Go to EventSponsored Content
Latest Finance Insights

Leading Retailers Select Brian Dodge As Next RILA President
- By [Brian Dodge, Sandy Kennedy]
- 10/22/2019
RILA President Sandy Kennedy Announces Retirement
- By [Sandy Kennedy]
- 10/22/2019

Retailers Celebrate the Trailblazers
- By [Sandy Kennedy]
- 10/21/2019
Congress Chimes in On FedNow Decision
- By [Austen Jensen]
- 09/26/2019

Leading Retailers Applaud Fed Decision on Faster Payments
- By [Austen Jensen]
- 08/05/2019
Fed Faster Payments Decision Means More Consumer Control
- By [Austen Jensen]
- 08/05/2019