RILA Maintains E-Fairness and Cybersecurity Among Top Priorities in 2014

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) released its 2014 Public Policy Agenda: Retailers Strengthening Communities.

The agenda, which outlines the industry’s top public policy priorities for 2014, showcases the role that retailers play in communities across America and how public policy affects their ability to invest locally and grow.
“The fact is few industries have a greater impact on the U.S. economy and its consumers. Public policy that intrudes upon the employer-employee relationship, tilts the playing field against Main Street retailers and stifles the industry’s growth, undermines retailers’ ability to invest locally,” says RILA President Sandy Kennedy. “Conversely, when the environment is conducive to growth, entire communities can benefit from the retail industry’s success.”

Topping the list of issues on which the industry will focus this year is passing into law legislation to level the playing field between online and Main Street retailers as it relates to sales tax collection. Outdated laws governing sales tax collection give online-only sellers an unfair advantage over Main Street retailers. This loophole creates a perceived price advantage, distorting the market and threatening Main Street jobs. Last year, the U.S. Senate passed legislation with overwhelming bipartisan support. RILA will be pushing for action in the House of Representatives early in the year.

Also among RILA’s top priorities is the industry’s commitment to protecting the security of customer payment information and our Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Initiative. Retailers must constantly adapt to meet evolving consumer expectations and to defend against constantly evolving threats. RILA remains committed to increased engagement with relevant federal agencies and state and federal policymakers to encourage advanced cybersecurity solutions that meet the needs of the retail industry and consumers, including the transition from outdated magnetic stripe technology to the more secure chip and PIN cards, and creating a trusted forum through which retailers can shared cyber threat information.

“RILA’s 2014 Public Policy Agenda focuses on priorities that policymakers can advance this year to empower retailers to continue to invest in their local communities and create jobs,” adds Kennedy.
In an interview with SCMR, Kennedy notes that RILA is actively involved in supply chain sustainability efforts on an operational level, primarily through the RILA Sustainability Initiative (RSI).
“RSI is a forum through which retailers can discuss the common challenges they face incorporating sustainable practices throughout their enterprise,” she says.
Kennedy also says that ensuring access to markets around the world is a top priority for retailers.

“We will continue to urge Congress to grant Trade Promotion Authority so that we can move forward with important trade deals such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Trade in Services Agreement, and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership,” she says.

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