NRF, Retail Industry Leaders Association to Merge
April 24, 2009
|
The National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) announced Tuesday that their executive committees have agreed in principle to a merger that will create a single trade association representing retail interests in the nation's capital.
The new organization will provide enhanced value to both RILA and NRF’s members and help to ensure that the retail industry speaks with a one voice to advance the industry and its more than 15 million workers.
"This is an historic time for our industry," said RILA Chairman, Robert A. Niblock, Chairman and CEO of Lowe's Companies Inc., and NRF Chairman Myron E. (Mike) Ullman III, Chairman and CEO of J.C. Penney Company Inc., in a joint statement. "The challenges and opportunities before our members are unprecedented. Now is the right time to bring these associations together."
According to Niblock and Ullman, in addition to enhancing member value, the new (and as yet unnamed) association will accrue substantial benefits to all members collectively, small and large, including: a unified and stronger voice on policy, communications, and public affairs issues in Washington, D.C.; a host of member events and conferences open to the combined membership of NRF and RILA, including NRF's "Big Show" and RILA's annual Logistics Conference scheduled next year for January and February; and focused educational offerings and operational services for independent retailers.
The new association also will provide single point of integration and dialogue with state retail associations and business groups in state capitals across the United States.
Completion of the merger requires that both NRF and RILA submit to a thorough due diligence process. The details of the merger are being developed by representatives from RILA and NRF. Both associations' boards of directors must recommend the merger, and both memberships must approve it.
Both RILA and NRF expect the process to be completed by this summer.
The new organization will provide enhanced value to both RILA and NRF’s members and help to ensure that the retail industry speaks with a one voice to advance the industry and its more than 15 million workers.
"This is an historic time for our industry," said RILA Chairman, Robert A. Niblock, Chairman and CEO of Lowe's Companies Inc., and NRF Chairman Myron E. (Mike) Ullman III, Chairman and CEO of J.C. Penney Company Inc., in a joint statement. "The challenges and opportunities before our members are unprecedented. Now is the right time to bring these associations together."
According to Niblock and Ullman, in addition to enhancing member value, the new (and as yet unnamed) association will accrue substantial benefits to all members collectively, small and large, including: a unified and stronger voice on policy, communications, and public affairs issues in Washington, D.C.; a host of member events and conferences open to the combined membership of NRF and RILA, including NRF's "Big Show" and RILA's annual Logistics Conference scheduled next year for January and February; and focused educational offerings and operational services for independent retailers.
The new association also will provide single point of integration and dialogue with state retail associations and business groups in state capitals across the United States.
Completion of the merger requires that both NRF and RILA submit to a thorough due diligence process. The details of the merger are being developed by representatives from RILA and NRF. Both associations' boards of directors must recommend the merger, and both memberships must approve it.
Both RILA and NRF expect the process to be completed by this summer.
|
