Local small business retailer Amber Gustafson, owner of Amber’s Designs in Katy was recognized by the National Retail Federation for her contribution to advocacy and has been named as one of America’s Retail Champions. As a Champion, Gustafson will have the opportunity to fly to Washington, D.C. to take part in NRF’s Retail Advocate’s Summit from May 23-25, 2016.
“Through the America’s Retail Champions program, the National Retail Federation is proud to host hardworking small business owners in Washington, D.C. to recognize our industry’s most engaged retail advocates,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “These men and women truly personify the American Dream, and it is important that Washington lawmakers hear first-hand from retail job and opportunity creators in towns large and small across the country.
“We thank Amber for taking time away from her business to make sure the voice of retail is heard loud and clear in our nation’s capital.”
“The Texas Retailers Association (TRA) is proud to have nominated four Texas retailers as a NRF America’s Retail Champion. Their dedication and support of our industry’s advocacy efforts on behalf of small retailers is critical to our success. We thank each of them for their efforts and congratulate them for this well-deserved recognition,” said George Kelemen, President & CEO of TRA.
Gustafson is one of 41 small business retailers to be named as a 2016 Champion, and is in the running to be named as a finalist and honored as the America’s Retail Champion of the Year including three others from Texas: John Raney, owner of Aggieland Bookstore in College Station; Rex Solomon, owner of Houston Jewelry, Inc. in Houston and Charles Bell, owner of Bracken Textiles dba Clothes Mentor in Plano.
The America’s Retail Champions program, now in its third year, honors retailers who make their mark on public policy debates directly affecting the industry. More than 100 retailers across the nation, from online sellers to mid-size and small retail store owners, have been nominated by state retail associations, small business retailers and their peers based on their engagement in public policy discussions on issues ranging from patent reform and online sales tax to data security and labor policy.
NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF’s This is Retail campaign highlights the industry’s opportunities for life-long careers, how retailers strengthen communities, and the critical role that retail plays in driving innovation. nrf.com
The Texas Retailers Association is a trade association representing retail outlets of every size and sector across the state. The mission of the TRA is to be a strong advocate for the retail industry and to provide value-added services and programs pertinent to members. www.txretailers.org