The National Retail Federation (NRF), the world’s largest retail trade group, has pledged to work with President-elect Donald Trump and the new Congress on what it described as “a pro-growth, pro-jobs agenda.”
In a statement, NRF president/CEO Matthew Shay congratulated the federal election winners, and breathed a sigh of relief that the campaign cycle, which likely distracted consumers from holiday spending, has finally ended.
“With the holiday season upon us, retailers are glad that this unprecedented election is over, along with the divisive rhetoric and the impact it had on consumers concerned about their future,” Shay said. “It is time to bring all Americans together, working in a bipartisan fashion to address the pressing needs of the day.”
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He continued: “The next few months will offer many opportunities for us to educate lawmakers on our priorities, such as tax reform and investment in our nation’s infrastructure, as well as pro-growth policies that create jobs and reward capital investment. If this election taught us anything, it is the importance of focusing on policies and programs that not only benefit today’s economy, but the economy of the future and our next generation of workers.
“As President Trump begins staffing his administration, we are hopeful that pragmatism will prevail over ideology so that all branches of government can work together for the benefit of retailers, their associates, the consumers they serve and the communities where they live and work,” Shay said.
Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, the NRF noted, providing 42 million jobs and contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP.
The trade association represents discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the U.S. and more than 45 countries.
