Retail Workforce

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.

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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

Read More

Retail Opportunities

RILA recently surveyed our members to learn more about the opportunities for work and career advancement that exist in retail.

Read More

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.

Read More

Retail Talent Pipeline

Explore activities that allow RILA members to connect to a diverse, skilled and innovative workforce.

Read More

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 Committees
Labor Activity in Retail (2022)

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)

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)

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 Report

Retail CEO Forum 2024

  • Jan 27 - Mar 1, 2024
  • Tucson, AZ

The Retail CEO Forum is the once-yearly, invitation-only event for CEOs from the most recognized retail brands in the industry.

Go to Event

Retail 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 More

Investing 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 More

Building Communities

Given challenges across the industry, RILA pursues coordinated legislation, to ensure retailers can continue to enhance communities.

Read More

Strategic Initiatives that support performance, compliance and transform the industry

Stay in the know

Subscribe to our newsletter