Retail Alliance will hold its first Virginia Retail Matters, a State of Retail, event at the Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Hotel on Sept. 22.
To be held on the last date of Virginia Economic Development Association’s Fall Conference, Retail Matters will provide an in-depth look at the findings of a retail study commissioned by Retail Alliance and conducted in conjunction with Main Street America.
This major retail study analyzed current sales statistics and retail trends, blending them with national and state findings from their Main Street America Small Business Survey of micro and small brick-and-mortar retailers across the U.S. to provide an in-depth look at the state of retail in the U.S. and Virginia.
“Retail is a rapidly changing industry and it never changed more than it did during and post COVID. Some claim retail is dead but even during the peak of the pandemic in 2020, retail sales accounted for over $66 billion in Virginia Sales Tax Revenue. I’d argue it is quite alive,” said Retail Alliance president/CEO Jenny Crittenden. “The report will also be identifying challenges and opportunities for the retail industry, and we’ll hear from our Virginia Retail Federation lobbyists on the state legislation to follow that may impact the retail sector into 2024.”
“This event is the first of its kind in Virginia and if you are a retailer, do business with one, or serve in a resource or support role in the retail sector, you will find the study valuable and insightful.” Crittenden said. “We highly encourage all retailers (no matter the size), financial institutions, commercial real estate firms, economic development, Chambers of Commerce, trade associations, and Main Street programs, along with local and state government, to attend.”
Industry expert Matt Wagner, Chief Program Officer at Main Street America, and lobbyist Jodi Roth from Government Affairs at Virginia Retail Federation, will be presenting at the event.
Wagner is Chief Program Officer at the National Main Street Center, Inc. In this role, he is responsible for driving the center’s field service initiatives including the development and delivery of technical services for Main Street America and Urban Main programs, directing the center’s new research agenda, as well as business development as part of growing new revenue streams for the organization.
“The State of Virginia Retail report highlights this sector’s important contribution to Virginia’s overall economy, making up 12.5 percent of the state’s overall businesses,” Wagner said. “As such it’s critical to better understand the challenges and trends lines as retail and consumerism new norms evolve. And while numbers are important, the Retail Alliance study underscores the role retail businesses play in support of local economies and Main Streets across Virginia, often serving as the economic foundation for our communities, providing residents and tourists alike with a unique and quality of life driven experience that make these places special.”
Roth has more than 15 years’ experience in government affairs in the state and federal levels. She has represented a wide array of clients in front of the General Assembly and the Executive Branch during her career, including spending the last several years specifically on retail issues.
“We are grateful to TowneBank which, as a long-term supporter of Retail Alliance and retailers in general, has joined us as Presenting Sponsor,” Crittenden said. “We appreciate that they recognize the important role that retailers play in our local, regional and state economies.”
“We are committed to providing exquisite service to all of our members, including the many retailers who look to TowneBank as their financial services partner,” said Robin Cooke, President of Retail Banking at TowneBank
Individual tickets and table sponsorships can be bought through retailalliance.com/events. Sponsorships are also available and welcomed. All attendees will receive the full report findings in hard copy at the luncheon as well as digitally after the event.
Retail Alliance, which is celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2023, champions the retail industry and serves as the primary nonprofit retail trade association in Hampton Roads. For more information, visit www.retailalliance.com.