- Home
- Retail Works for All of Us
- 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 Federal workforce laws are woefully outdated and antiquated policy ideas are unlikely the solution.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.
Learn 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.
Learn 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
Learn 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.
Learn More
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.
Learn MoreConnect with Issue Area Experts
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.
Evan Armstrong Vice President, Workforce
Investing in People
Black Paper Party: A Spotlight on Black-Owned Brands
- By [Erin Hiatt, Moni Adeyi]
- 01/31/2023
Best Buy CEO Corie Barry to Chair RILA Board of Directors
- By [Brian Dodge]
- 01/30/2023
It’s not the Headline, it’s the Bottom Line
- By [Brian Dodge]
- 01/27/2023
Workforce Policy Trends to Watch in 2023
- By [Evan Armstrong]
- 01/25/2023
Credit Card Companies Deceiving Customers, Fed Report Finds
- By [Austen Jensen]
- 01/23/2023
RILA Strategy on Pending FTC Matters
- By [Deborah White, Michael Hanson]
- 01/18/2023
Negative Impact of Sec. 301 Tariffs on Consumers, Businesses
- By [Blake Harden]
- 01/17/2023
USTR Should Abandon Unsuccessful & Harmful Tariff Policy
- By [Blake Harden]
- 01/17/2023
Retail Works for All of Us
- By [Austen Jensen, Michael Hanson]
- 01/12/2023
Congress Passes Law Targeting ORC: Now What?
- By [Lisa LaBruno, Michael Hanson]
- 01/11/2023
Retailers Celebrate Signage of INFORM Consumers Act
- By [Brian Dodge]
- 12/30/2022
Battling ORC: Huge Win for Retailers, Workers, Consumers
- By [Michael Hanson]
- 12/20/2022