Investing in People

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.

Leading retailers are building a 21st century retail workforce that is diverse, innovative, and skilled. Federal workforce laws are woefully outdated and antiquated policy ideas are unlikely the solution. RILA is ready to work with policy makers and other stakeholders to find transformative solutions that modernize federal workforce public policy and enable retailers to continue to invest in people and communities.

A Deeper Look into Investing in People

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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Retailers Commitments to Communities

As the trade association for America’s retail leaders, we know that retailers are so much more than a store; retailers are part of the community.

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Connect with Issue Area Experts

Jason Brewer

Senior Executive Vice President, Communications and Marketing

RILA

Austen Jensen

Executive Vice President, Government Affairs

RILA

Evan Armstrong

Vice President, Workforce

RILA

Erin Hiatt

Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility

RILA

Melissa Murdock

Vice President, Communications and Media Relations

RILA

Caroline Niery

Director, Communications & Advocacy

RILA

Townsend Brown

Coordinator, State Government Affairs

RILA

The retail industry needs workplace laws that allow retailers to invest in their people while maintaining the flexibility to react to ever-changing customer demands and expectations. RILA is working with stakeholders to rethink and redesign policies related to benefits, labor and professional development that will enhance the 21st Century Retail Workforce.