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Our Focus
The retail industry is a window into the American workforce. As the nation’s largest private sector employer, retail supports more than 52 million American jobs throughout our diverse ecosystem. Retail workers represent all types of people, in all types of roles, experience, education, and skills, in all phases of their lives. Retail is for everyone; it is the place for a first job, a second chance, a third act, or a side hustle – the retail workforce is truly representative of the American workforce.
Creating a Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Workforce
RILA is devoted to ensuring retailers have access to the tools, research, and benchmarking to improve policies around DE&I.
Retail Opportunities
RILA recently surveyed our members to learn more about the opportunities for work and career advancement that exist in retail.
Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act)
PRO Act is a return to antiquated thinking about work. Retailers are advocating for a modern policy fostering innovation & preserving employee rights.
Growing the 21st Century Retail Workforce
RILA advocates for forward-thinking workplace policies at the state and federal level that reflect the needs of a large and diverse workforce.
Employing DACA Beneficiaries and Access to H-1B Visas
RILA is an unwavering supporter of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and continues to advocate for a permanent solution.
Preserving Existing Benefits and Creating New Opportunities
RILA members are at the forefront of developing new innovative approaches designed to encourage preventative health, improve outcomes, and lower costs
Retail is for Everyone
The retail industry prides itself on providing opportunities to people from all walks of life, at any stage in their career -#retailis4Everyone.
Retail Talent Pipeline
Explore activities that allow RILA members to connect to a diverse, skilled and innovative workforce.
Workforce Committees
Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, providing opportunity for all. RILA advocates for sound policies that support diversity, flexibility, upward mobility, and the power to choose one’s own path.
View All CommitteesUpcoming Meetings
Retail Talent Committee Meeting
- May 2, 2023
- Memphis, TN
Labor Activity in Retail (2022)
RILA and IRI Consultants 2022 report provides data around the rate and growth of labor activity in 2021 and outlines key strategies to help leading retailers address workforce challenges.
Read Report
Attract and Hire People for Who They Are (2022)
Best practices and promising new models for hiring across the RILA membership and Talent Solutions’ retail clients.
Read Report
Labor Activity in Retail (2021)
Latest data on union organizing and membership across the nation as well as four articles about timely labor and employee relations topics.
Read ReportRetail Works for All: 2023 Public Policy Priorities
Leading in the Community
Retail is more than a store; we are an integral part of the fabric of our communities.
Read MoreInvesting in People
Retail is for everyone; the place for a first job, 2nd chance, third act, or a side hustle – the retail workforce represents the American workforce.
Read MoreBuilding Communities
Given challenges across the industry, RILA pursues coordinated legislation, to ensure retailers can continue to enhance communities.
Read MoreStrategic Initiatives that support performance, compliance and transform the industry
Latest Workforce Insights
Restrictive Scheduling: A Non-Starter for Maine Retailers
- By [Townsend Brown]
- 03/23/2023
A Dozen Cousins: A Spotlight on Black-Owned Brands
- By [Erin Hiatt, Moni Adeyi]
- 03/21/2023
RILA’s Response to Biden-Harris Budget Proposal
- By [Michael Hanson]
- 03/09/2023
Hella Awkward: A Spotlight on Black-Owned Brands
- By [Erin Hiatt, Moni Adeyi]
- 03/09/2023
Stop Pushing Workforce Policies that Only Benefit Unions
- By [Evan Armstrong]
- 02/28/2023
Workforce Policy Trends to Watch in 2023
- By [Evan Armstrong]
- 01/25/2023