Newsletter — September 5, 2024 | |
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IN THE NEWS
POLITICAL NEWS
POLICY
ON THE LOCAL FRONT
RETAIL THEFT & PUBLIC SAFETY
TRENDS
SAFETY
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WR President & CEO elected Chairwoman of the Council of State Retail Associations
Renée Sunde, President and CEO of WR, has been elected Chairwoman of the Council of State Retail Associations (CSRA) during its annual Membership Meeting in Stowe, Vermont, on August 28, 2024.
Sunde, who has served on the CSRA Board of Directors since 2021 and held key leadership roles such as Vice Chairwoman in 2023 and Secretary-Treasurer in 2022, will lead the CSRA from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025.
The CSRA serves as a crucial communication hub for state retail associations, focusing on legislation and regulations that impact the retail industry. Under Sunde’s leadership, the CSRA aims to continue supporting state retail associations by sharing legislative strategies and best practices, ensuring that retailers nationwide are well-equipped to navigate the evolving policy landscape.
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Retail Action Council PAC adds new endorsements
With the primary election behind us, WR’s Retail Action Council Political Action Committee (PAC) is pleased to announce that 82 of the 86 endorsed candidates will advance to the general election.
The Retail Action Council PAC represents a diverse coalition of retail members across a broad spectrum of sectors and business sizes. The Retail Action Council PAC proudly endorses candidates from both sides of the aisle who understand the critical role the retail industry plays in Washington State’s economy and are supportive of retail issues.
Building on the current list of candidates heading to the general election, the Retail Action Council PAC has added 10 new endorsed candidates in both congressional and legislative races.
The newly added candidates are:
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New Children’s Safe Product Act reporting guidance
The Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) has updated its reporting guidance for the Children’s Safe Products Act (CSPA). This new guidance includes illustrative examples to clarify reporting requirements, such as defining what constitutes a product component and when it needs to be reported. For instance, a multi-color print fabric should be reported as one component (textiles).
Manufacturers who met the January 31, 2023, reporting deadline can now access their reports through the Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse’s (IC2) High Priority Chemicals Data System (HPCDS) without needing to register. A user-friendly search guide is also available on the IC2 User Guide page. It's important to note that the presence of a Chemical of High Concern to Children (CHCC) in a product does not imply that the product is unsafe or that safety standards have been violated.
For those who missed the reporting deadline or need help with their submissions, the CSPA Reporting Team is available at CSPAreporting@ecy.wa.gov or by phone at 360-584-3456.
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Extended deadline for $5.5 billion Visa/Mastercard settlement: February 2025
The deadline for businesses to file claims in the $5.5 billion Visa/Mastercard payment card settlement has been extended to February 4, 2025.
This settlement covers businesses that accepted Visa and/or Mastercard between January 1, 2004, and January 25, 2019. The process to file a claim is simple and can be done online in just a few minutes.
Businesses are urged to avoid using third-party claims filers, which may charge up to 40% of the total claim amount. Instead, businesses should wait to receive their claim form and consider filing directly to ensure they receive the full amount they’re entitled to. The final payment amount will depend on various factors, including the number of claims submitted and the total interchange fees paid.
Claims can be filed online or by mail, and only those submitted by the deadline will be eligible for a payout.
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WR partners to launch Tumwater Retail & Tourism Center with work-based learning opportunities for students
On Tuesday, September 3, the Washington Retail Association (WR) joined the Tumwater Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) and Tumwater School District (TSD) to celebrate the revitalization of the Tumwater Visitors Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This event marked the beginning of an exciting project aimed at boosting retail and tourism while offering invaluable work-based learning opportunities for students.
Rose Gundersen, VP of Operations and Retail Services, played a key role in securing the NRF Foundation as a sponsor for the Grand Opening, recognizing the innovative potential of the Center. During the event, Gundersen highlighted three compelling reasons to promote careers in retail: retail is a significant economic driver and a key source of tax revenue for local and state governments; it offers meaningful earning potential and opportunities for advancement; and our state’s policymakers actively support retail workforce careers and training. For the sixth year, Governor Inslee has proclaimed September as Careers in Retail Month.
Chris Reykdal, OSPI Superintendent, read Governor Inslee’s 2024 Careers in Retail Proclamation at the event. He emphasized the importance of connecting students with future employers, stating, “Our retailers are gaining access to a new generation of workers.”
Chris Sieg, Tumwater School District CTE Director, noted, “This hub will offer students critical hands-on experience. The skills they develop in retail and service are among the most powerful they will gain.”
Ryan Reynolds, President of the Tumwater Chamber of Commerce, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, “The vision is exciting and sets a precedent that can be replicated statewide.”
The Grand Opening marks the start of an exciting journey. WR is encouraging the Center to aim for national recognition as the NRF Foundation’s Rise Up Partner of the Year. Several high schools across the country have earned this recognition by providing students with job training through RISE Up certifications and connecting them with meaningful retail jobs.
WR also invites retailers in Thurston County to partner with the Tumwater Retail and Tourism Center to offer advice and training opportunities. Statewide, WR is seeking to recruit five retailers to join a retail industry workgroup starting this October to help shape our state’s higher education strategies for retail workforce training.
For more information, please contact Rose Gundersen at rgundersen@waretailservices.com.
Click here to view a copy of the Governor’s Careers in Retail proclamation
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WR sponsors WA Chamber of Commerce Executives Conference
Mark Johnson, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, and Crystal Leatherman, State and Local Government Affairs Manager, attended and actively participated in the annual Washington Chamber of Commerce Executives (WCCE) conference in Ellensburg, Washington. WR was a proud co-sponsor of the event.
The conference, which attracted executives from across the state, provided an excellent opportunity to forge partnerships and strategic alliances with local organizations. These connections are vital for educating and engaging local, state, and federal elected officials on issues impacting the retail sector and employers.
WR aims to be a valuable resource for chambers of commerce of all sizes, offering expertise on general retail issues as well as specific topics such as public safety, retail theft, organized retail crime, workforce development, artificial intelligence, and product stewardship.
Chambers of commerce play a crucial role in their communities across various sectors. WR deeply values its strong relationship with WCCE and its members and looks forward to continuing to work together toward shared goals.
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Lowe’s and Safeway named top nominees for Governor’s Employer Awards
The Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment (GCDE) has announced the 2024 nominees for the Governor’s Employer Awards, celebrating exceptional employers in Washington State who excel in recruiting, hiring, retaining, and promoting workers with disabilities. Notable among the nominees are Lowe’s Store #0061 in Arlington and Safeway in Mount Vernon. These retailers have been recognized for their outstanding commitment to creating inclusive workplaces.
The awards honor a diverse range of nominees from various industries, with categories for small, medium, and large employers, as well as nonprofit organizations. Each nominee exemplifies a dedication to integrating individuals with disabilities into their workforce. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in October at the Kitsap Conference Center in Bremerton.
For more details about the Governor’s Awards Program, visit the GCDE website.
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Updated “Guide to Navigating Public Safety & Retail Crime” now available
WR is pleased to announce the release of the latest “Guide to Navigating Public Safety & Retail Crime,” Version 8.0. This updated guide provides essential tools and strategies for retailers dealing with increasing challenges related to retail theft and organized crime.
Key features of the guide include:
- Enhanced Policy Recommendations: Emphasizes the importance of comprehensive public policy responses and supports legislative efforts like the INFORM Consumers Act.
- Strengthened Coordination: Focuses on improving collaboration between retailers, law enforcement, and prosecutors to tackle ORC more effectively.
- Practical Strategies: Offers actionable advice on store security improvements, employee training, and post-crime incident navigation.
With Washington State facing significant challenges surrounding public safety and organized retail crime, this guide is a crucial resource for businesses seeking to protect their assets and ensure workplace safety.
Download the updated guide to equip your business with the latest strategies and resources for combating retail crime.
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Goodwill to close two Seattle stores amid safety and cost concerns
Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington is closing its South Lake Union and University District thrift stores on September 22 due to rising safety concerns, theft, and increasing rent. Derieontay Sparks, senior vice president at Evergreen Goodwill, cited troubling incidents of property damage and break-ins, coupled with high operational costs, as key reasons for the closures.
The South Lake Union store, open since 2012, and the University District store, a community fixture since 2008, have both faced significant challenges. Proceeds from these stores, along with others in the region, fund Goodwill’s free job training and education programs, which have supported over 57,000 individuals in the past decade.
Despite the closures, Goodwill will continue offering job opportunities to affected employees and encourages community support at nearby locations in Capitol Hill and Ballard.
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Merchants urge CFPB to address bank-driven cash-back fees in small towns
The Merchants Payments Coalition (MPC) is urging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to address the root causes of cash-back fees in small towns, attributing them to high swipe fees set by banks and the lack of banking services in these areas.
A recent CFPB report revealed that while most merchants offer cash-back at no charge, some charge fees due to the exorbitant costs imposed by credit card companies and unregulated small banks. These fees, which can reach $3 for every $100 given as cash back, contrast sharply with the modest 50 cents to $1 fees merchants typically charge customers. The MPC argues that the real issue lies in the banking and credit card industries, whose rising swipe fees have doubled over the past decade, significantly increasing costs for consumers.
The CFPB report coincides with Congress's consideration of the Credit Card Competition Act, which aims to reduce swipe fees by introducing more competition among payment networks, potentially saving consumers and merchants $16 billion annually.
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Ikea enhances fulfillment with AI-powered drones
Ikea is advancing its drone technology with a new AI-powered system designed to enhance efficiency in its distribution centers. The upgraded drones, part of a collaboration with AI and robotics firm Verity, will work alongside human employees to automate inventory stocking and boost productivity. With over 250 drones already in operation across nine countries, the new system will streamline inventory checks, improve accuracy, and reduce employee workload by providing real-time data and automating repetitive tasks.
The drones, which use AI to navigate and avoid obstacles, will first roll out in Europe and North America. They have undergone rigorous testing in Belgium and are now active in Perryville, MD. This technology is also tailored with safety features to ensure worker well-being. Ikea aims to further develop this technology by exploring new functionalities and enhancements, including improved analytics and unit load inspections.
By leveraging these innovations, Ikea continues to invest in technology that streamlines operations, allowing employees to focus on tasks that enhance customer experiences.
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WR hosts Safety Compliance Made Easy webinar
WR is hosting a "Safety Compliance Made Easy" webinar on September 12th, from 10:00-11:00 AM PDT, led by Travis Brock, the new Safety Director with over 20 years of experience.
This informative session will cover essential topics such as the origins of safety rules, employer responsibilities, and how to prepare for OSHA inspections. Participants will gain insights into the value of safety practices, safety training requirements, and effective claims management. The webinar will also guide attendees through an L&I Compliance Visit and provide an understanding of relevant laws, regulations, and WAC standards. Additionally, the event will introduce the newly improved Safety Ambassador program, designed to help members achieve safety excellence.
Register today to enhance your organization's safety program.
For more information, contact Safety@waretailservices.com.
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WR diversity statement
WR is committed to the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We strive to create a safe, welcoming environment in which these principles can thrive.
We value all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, identity, sexual orientation, nationality, or disability, and that is the foundation of our commitment to those we serve.
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Renée Sunde, President/CEO — 360.200.6450 — Email
Mark Johnson, Sr. VP of Policy & Government Affairs — 360.943.0667 — Email
Crystal Leatherman, State & Local GA Manager — 360.200-6453 — Email
Rose Gundersen, VP of Operations & Retail Services — 360.200.6452 — Email
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