4 | Retail Industry Leaders Association others. “In these areas, we really focus on legislative, compliance and operational issues,” Chroust says. On the retail operations side, RILA provides a forum where members can conduct discussions aimed at understanding common operational practices, areas of concern and pragmatic solutions to shared problems. SHIFTING ECONOMY The Retail Industry Leaders Association is always faced with the challenge of dealing with a tough economy. A consumer that struggles to pay the rent or utility bills is not going to have any disposable income to spend at retail outlets, after all. “These last three or four years have been a difficult time for the retail industry as a whole,” Chroust says. “As the unemployment rate climbed higher and higher, discretionary spending plummeted lower and lower.” While it’s been a tough time for retailers recently, there is a silver lining in the clouds. The industry had a positive holiday season in early 2011, with momentum carrying into spring and summer. “Retail sales have slowly yet steadily increased, much in line with the job situation,” he says. “The back-to-school selling season was very strong, helping propel retailers forward for this upcoming holiday season.” POLICY INITIATIVES The Retail Industry Leaders Association enjoys a positive and productive relationship with all levels of government. A public policy issue they are currently leading on deals with interchange fees, or ‘swipe fees’ as they are commonly referred.
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