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- 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 Federal workforce laws are woefully outdated and antiquated policy ideas are unlikely the solution.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](https://rilastagemedia.blob.core.windows.net/rila-web/rila.web/media/media/linkable images/article pages/700x394/growing-the-retail-worforce-700x394.jpg?ext=.jpg)
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](https://rilastagemedia.blob.core.windows.net/rila-web/rila.web/media/media/linkable images/article pages/700x394/diversity-and-inclusion-700x394.jpg?ext=.jpg)
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](https://rilastagemedia.blob.core.windows.net/rila-web/rila.web/media/media/linkable images/article pages/700x394/health-care-700x394.jpg?ext=.jpg)
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](https://rilastagemedia.blob.core.windows.net/rila-web/rila.web/media/media/linkable images/article pages/700x394/employing-and-supporting-daca-beneficiaries-700x394.jpg?ext=.jpg)
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](https://rilastagemedia.blob.core.windows.net/rila-web/rila.web/media/media/linkable images/article pages/700x394/retail-impact-on-communities-700x394.jpg?ext=.jpg)
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
![Jason Brewer](/getmedia/c6f84f16-8fc1-45af-9198-c6b9c55a5ec9/jason-brewer-headshot-700x560_1.jpg?width=700&height=560&ext=.jpg)
![Austen Jensen](https://rilastagemedia.blob.core.windows.net/rila-web/rila.web/media/media/headshots/staff headshots/700x560/austen-jensen2-headshot-700x560.jpg?ext=.jpg)
![Evan Armstrong](https://rilastagemedia.blob.core.windows.net/rila-web/rila.web/media/media/headshots/staff headshots/700x560/evan-armstrong2-headshot-700x560.jpg?ext=.jpg)
![Erin Hiatt](/getmedia/5321fe67-badb-4f7c-bf84-e7e1fe5e5658/erin-hiatt-headshot-700x560_1.jpg?width=700&height=560&ext=.jpg)
![Melissa Murdock](/getmedia/1829c50b-be09-484f-be0f-450e2ad3a81f/melissa-murdock-headshot-700x560_1.jpg?width=700&height=560&ext=.jpg)
![Caroline Niery](https://rilastagemedia.blob.core.windows.net/rila-web/rila.web/media/media/headshots/staff headshots/700x560/caroline-niery-headshot-700x560.jpg?ext=.jpg)
![Townsend Brown](https://rilastagemedia.blob.core.windows.net/rila-web/rila.web/media/media/headshots/staff headshots/700x560/townsend-brown-headshot-700x560.jpg?ext=.jpg)
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
![](/getmedia/fd4bb2f9-def5-4a98-a5e4-60404da37bcb/Combatting-Retail-Crime-Keeping-Communities-Safe-700x394.jpg?width=700&height=452&ext=.jpg)
Retailers, Prosecutors Collaborative Retail Crime Initiative
- By [Lisa LaBruno]
- 07/18/2024
2024 Election Outlook for Retailers: Tax Policy
- By [Courtney Titus Brooks]
- 07/17/2024
![](/getattachment/c3c5fb3f-6d1d-4eb0-aaef-784386d24360/state-forge-ahead-in-enacting-comprehensive-privacy-legislation-during-the-2024-sessions-700x394.jpg?lang=en-US&ext=.jpg)
States Forge Ahead in Enacting Privacy Legislation
- By [Austin Gold, Townsend Brown]
- 07/15/2024
CHEVRON OVERRULED: ENDING THE “DIZZYING BREAKDANCE”
- By [Larissa Whittingham]
- 07/01/2024
![](/getmedia/f7424114-6c6b-4cd7-859f-c903d725ec1c/iStock-1351883275.jpg?width=700&height=394&ext=.jpg)
SCOTUS Upholds Public Safety Laws That Help Communities
- By [Deborah White]
- 06/28/2024
Key Consumer Safety Law Turns One
- By [Michael Hanson]
- 06/27/2024
![](/getattachment/73449060-0637-459c-a0b6-7e4faadd1ca9/Retailers-Want-Tax-and-Trade-Debate-700x394.jpg?lang=en-US&ext=.jpg)
Retailers Want Debate Remarks to Reflect Real Impact
- 06/27/2024
ECI, RILA to Advance Retail Ethics, Compliance Programs
- By [Kathleen McGuigan]
- 06/25/2024
![](/getmedia/c0a47f1d-cfe3-485e-97e7-d19209fcfe66/Retailers-Applaud-Flawed-Visa-Settlement-Deal-250x200.jpg?width=250&height=166&ext=.jpg)
Retailers Applaud Decision To Reject Flawed Swipe Settlement
- By [Austen Jensen]
- 06/25/2024
Retailers, DAs Partner to Train Prosecutors on ORC
- By [Lisa LaBruno]
- 06/20/2024
![](/getmedia/a27f2012-fd1d-457e-8601-083565fa18ae/Response-Banks-Efforts-Stop-Fed-Debit-Reduction-700x394.jpg?width=700&height=466&ext=.jpg)
Response to Banks' Efforts to Stop Fed Debit Card Reduction
- By [Austen Jensen]
- 06/18/2024
Retailers Take Pride in LGBTQIA+ Community
- By [Caroline Niery]
- 06/17/2024