WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation today announced the recipients of the 2024 “Champion of Main Street” and “Hero of Main Street” awards. The “Hero of Main Street” award honors lawmakers who consistently support NRF’s Retail Opportunity Index, advancing public policy that encourages a vibrant, sustained and healthy retail sector. The “Champion of Main Street” award was established by NRF in 2022 to honor specific members of Congress who have demonstrated outstanding leadership on key policies — beyond support for the Retail Opportunity Index — to bolster the retail community.
The heartbeat of the nation starts on Main Street with retail and other small businesses that power our economy,
“The heartbeat of the nation starts on Main Street with retail and other small businesses that power our economy,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “NRF is pleased to recognize 281 members of the House and Senate this year for their consistent legislative support of the retail industry and its continued economic health and prosperity.”
The awards were presented during the 2024 Retail Advocates Summit in Washington, D.C. The event also included The Retail Experience, an interactive, educational showcase designed to take policymakers on a journey through the retail industry. Six immersive exhibits demonstrated retail’s role in driving the economy, providing jobs and impacting lives and communities across the country. The Retail Advocates Summit was attended by nearly 50 small retail business owners from 27 states, as well as dozens of professionals from leading retail brands.
Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. The overwhelming majority of retailers are small businesses, with more than 98% of all retail companies employing fewer than 50 people.
See the full list of NRF’s 2024 Congressional “Heroes of Main Street” and “Champions of Main Street” honorees here.
About NRF
The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies. nrf.com
