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- 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 Federal workforce laws are woefully outdated and antiquated policy ideas are unlikely the solution.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 and Inclusive Workforce
RILA is devoted to ensuring retailers have access to the tools, research, and benchmarking to improve policies around D&I.
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Thank You Retail Workers
RILA is working with stakeholders to redesign and pursue workforce policies and practices to help retailers serve customers and communities well.
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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 cost.
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Employing and Supporting DACA Beneficiaries
RILA is an unwavering support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and continues to advocate for a permanent solution.
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Criminal Justice Reform
Retailers urge Congress to take bipartisan action on meaningful reforms that rebuilds trust in law enforcement.
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The retail industry needs workplace laws that allow for 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 redesign and pursue workforce policies and practices to help retailers utilize the gig economy and technology, compete with other industries for talent, and serve customers and communities well.
Evan Armstrong Vice President, Workforce
Investing in People

Retailers Blast Payroll Tax Proposal
- By [Austen Jensen]
- 02/26/2021
PRO Act Series: Employee Rights
- By [Evan Armstrong]
- 02/25/2021

Retail Puts Diversity & Inclusion Commitments into Practice
- By [Erin Hiatt]
- 02/24/2021
Leading Retailers Endorse Equality Act
- By [Michael Hanson]
- 02/23/2021

RILA Hosts Successful Winter 2021 Retail Workforce Summit
- By [Evan Armstrong]
- 02/22/2021
PRO Act Series: Joint Employer
- By [Evan Armstrong]
- 02/18/2021

Retail Industry Urges Bipartisan Solutions for DACA, H-1B
- By [Evan Armstrong, Joe Williamson]
- 02/18/2021
Retailers Celebrate Black History and Black Excellence
- 02/08/2021

Antiquated Labor Policy Fails Modern Workforce
- By [Evan Armstrong]
- 02/04/2021
Retail Works for All of Us
- By [Austen Jensen, Michael Hanson]
- 01/25/2021

RILA Elevates CSR Focus with New Promotion
- By [Lisa LaBruno, Erin Hiatt]
- 01/22/2021
Dreamers Deserve Dignity, Clear Pathway to Citizenship
- By [Brian Dodge]
- 01/20/2021