Wendy future of retail top

National Retail Federation

Father’s Day spending expected to hit record numbers

Father’s Day spending expected to hit record numbers

WASHINGTON – Americans are expected to spend a record $16 billion on Father’s Day gifts this year, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insight & Analytics. That’s up from last year’s $15.3 billion. “Fathers, husbands and sons can expect to feel the love this Father’s Day,” NRF president and CEO

NRF calls latest tariffs a big gamble

NRF calls latest tariffs a big gamble

WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation has warned that the Trump administration’s imposition of additional tariffs on Chinese goods puts the U.S. economy and American jobs at risk. “We support the administration’s efforts to deliver a meaningful trade agreement that levels the playing field for American businesses and workers,” NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay.

Retail sales bounce back in January

Retail sales bounce back in January

WASHINGTON – Retail sales rebounded in January, the National Retail Federation said on Monday. Sales increased by 1.3% seasonally adjusted from December and by 3.6% unadjusted year-over-year. The numbers exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants.“Retail sales recovered in January after the unexpected drop in December, reinforcing a positive start to 2019,” NRF chief economist

NRF reports holiday sales gains less than anticipated

NRF reports holiday sales gains less than anticipated

WASHINGTON – The holiday season turned out not to have been a particularly merry one for retail sales, the National Retail Federation said on Thursday. Retail sales grew a lower-than-expected 2.9% during the two-month period, according to the NRF, which cited U.S. Commerce Department data that had been delayed by nearly a month because of

Thanksgiving weekend multichannel shopping up 40%

Thanksgiving weekend multichannel shopping up 40%

WASHINGTON — From Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, more than 165 million Americans shopped either in stores or online, surpassing the 164 million who had said they would shop in a consumer sentiment survey conducted ahead of the holiday, the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics said. The average shopper spent $313.29 on

Retailers say credit card swipe fee proposed settlement won’t work

Retailers say credit card swipe fee proposed settlement won’t work

WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation said a proposed new class action settlement, which purports to resolve claims that Visa and MasterCard set credit card swipe fees in a multi-billion dollar price-fixing scheme, largely resembles part of an agreement that both a federal appellate court and the retail industry had already rejected. “The monetary settlement

NRF reports July retail sales increased 4.9%

NRF reports July retail sales increased 4.9%

WASHINGTON – July retail sales were up 0.4% seasonally adjusted from June and increased 4.9% unadjusted year-over-year, giving the industry a solid kickoff for the third quarter as consumers continued to spend despite concerns about the growing trade war, the National Retail Federation reported today. The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants. “Today’s numbers

NRF revises retail sales forecast for 2018

NRF revises retail sales forecast for 2018

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation has revised its retail sales forecast for 2018, saying it now expects sales to increase 4.5% or more, up from its earlier projection of a year-on-year gain in the range of 3.8% to 4.4%. “Higher wages, gains in disposable income, a strong job market and record-high household net worth

Supreme Court rules for internet sales tax

Supreme Court rules for internet sales tax

WASHINGTON — States can collect sales tax from online sellers even if those companies don’t have a physical presence in the state, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday in a case with far-reaching implications for online commerce. “The physical presence rule has long been criticized as giving out-of-state sellers an advantage,” the court said in

New tax code eliminates ACA individual mandate

New tax code eliminates ACA individual mandate

WASHINGTON — The individual mandate is no more. The requirement under the Affordable Care Act that people pay a penalty if they do not obtain health insurance was eliminated in the federal tax overhaul passed by Congress. After the Senate approved the tax reform legislation 51-48, Trump tweeted, “Terrible Individual Mandate (ObamaCare) Repealed.” He signed

Holiday selling season good for drug chains

Holiday selling season good for drug chains

NEW YORK — Chain drug store holiday sales bettered last year’s results, with total dollar volume rising more than 4% and same-store sales advancing 1.8%. In comparison to the 2016 holiday retail sales season, when anxiety over the new administration may have peaked, consumer confidence was up this year, propelled by income gains and the

Big events of 2017 that will shape the future

Big events of 2017 that will shape the future

A case could be made that for pharmacy operators passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act late last month was the biggest story of 2017. Championed by the Republican leadership in Congress and President Trump, the $1.5 trillion measure will provide substantial, permanent tax relief for businesses — the corporate tax rate was cut

Holiday retail sales rise for drug chains

Holiday retail sales rise for drug chains

NEW YORK — Chain drug store holiday sales bettered last year’s results, with total dollar volume rising more than 4%. In comparison to the 2016 holiday season, when anxiety over the new administration may have peaked, consumer confidence was up this year, propelled by income gains and the long-running bull market. Chain drug store sales

CVS’ Helena Foulkes to speak at NRF ‘Big Show’

CVS’ Helena Foulkes to speak at NRF ‘Big Show’

WASHINGTON — CVS Health’s Helena Foulkes has been tabbed as one of the keynote speakers at the National Retail Federation’s 2018 annual convention in Manhattan. Foulkes, executive vice president of CVS Health and president of CVS Pharmacy, will address the theme “empowering customers to make everyday health care better” in her presentation, scheduled for Jan.

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