The morning after the first presidential debate, the National Retail Federation (NRF) launched a grassroots get-out-the-vote initiative. Named Retail Means Votes, the non-partisan effort is intended to educate and engage America’s retail industry, which supports 42 million American jobs. In addition, Retail Means Votes was created to encourage retailers to become active participants in next month’s elections.
“With an election largely centered on the economy and jobs, it’s important to make sure America’s 3.6 million retailers and their employees know what’s at stake for the industry,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “Retail supports one in four American jobs, generates a quarter of the gross domestic product, and is at the foundation of the consumer-based economy.”
As part of the campaign, the Retail Means Votes website—www.retailmeansjobs.com/election—was created. The site offers candidate biographies, election-related news, information about how to register to vote, non-partisan voter guides, suggested questions retailers can ask candidates during debates, and more.
“These resources will equip retailers and their employees with a firm understanding of retail’s public policy priorities and help put the election into context,” said Shay. “We want candidates to know where the retail industry stands on the critical issues of the day, and we want voters to be thinking about retail’s agenda and priorities on election day.”
The NRF represents retailers of all types and sizes—including convenience store retailers—from the United States and 45 countries abroad. (Convenience Store News: www.csnews.com)
