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 Federal workforce laws are woefully outdated but antiquated policy ideas are unlikely the solution.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