Retail supports more than 42 million jobs
Retail supports 1 in 4 American jobs. Anyone whose job results in a consumer product – from those who supply the raw materials to factory workers to the truck drivers who deliver goods to stores – counts on retail for their livelihood. With 3.6 million stores drawing on a vast array of suppliers, retail supports 42 million jobs and represents $2.6 trillion of annual GDP in the United States.
Sean Brownlee is Elected to the Board of Directors
In December 2018 Ravenox CEO and President Sean Brownlee was elected to the Washington Retail Association's (WR) board of directors. Nearly 400,000 people work in retail jobs in Washington State and depend on the retail industry. The WR helps protect those jobs and their employers. They’re the only association in Washington formed exclusively to advocate the unique interests of the retailing industry on state legislative and regulatory issues.
Sean is proud to advocate to policymakers and legislators on their behalf and represent over 3,500 retail storefronts. These include all types of retailers in all parts of the state, including the largest national chains to the smallest independent businesses. Members include wholesalers, dealers, professional services, and mall owners & operators.
Legislative & Regulatory Issues
Taxation
WR is very concerned with the Governor’s proposals to institute a capital gains tax of 9 percent and to increase the services business and occupation tax by 67 percent. Both…
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Protecting the Environment
WR and its members want to protect and improve our environment for their customers, their employees and themselves. WR is supporting a bill to encourage more people to use automated…
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Trade Tariffs
In cooperation with the National Retail Federation, Washington Retail has urged President Trump and Congress to oppose increasing trade tariffs upon nations with whom we trade. This risks alienating our…
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Retail Theft
WR has proactively introduced legislation to help crack down on retail theft. Over $940 million in merchandise was stolen from retailers in the State of Washington last year. This means…
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Data Breach Notification
Retailers take very seriously the confidentiality and security of the sensitive information that customers entrust with them. If a criminal steals information, retailers want to notify their customers and minimize…
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Pharmacy – Prescriptions
Washington State and the nation are in the midst of an opioid abuse epidemic. Thousands of citizens of all ages and backgrounds are becoming or already are addicted to opioid…
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Careers in Retail
Retail is connected to one in four jobs in the American workforce. Our team has collaborated with WorkSource in Washington State to promote their annual Retail Month. Retailers applaud Governor…
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Get Involved
These and other issues only pass or fail with the involvement and support or opposition from citizens like you. Weighing in is easier than ever and can be done in…
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Washington Retail Association Board of Directors with Senator Mark Schoesler at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia, Washington.
