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Retail sales saw a slight month-over-month drop in September but consumers continued to spend more than last year as interest rates and inflation fell and employment rose, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released by NRF.

The National Retail Federation announced a new collaboration with The Power of Preparedness (TPOP). This collaboration aims to provide NRF’s network of retailers with enhanced safety and security training to help protect employees, customers and businesses in today’s increasingly complex retail risk environment.

Imports at the nation’s major container ports should continue at elevated levels this month despite a strike that briefly shut down operations from Maine to Texas last week, according to the Global Port Tracker report released by NRF and Hackett Associates.

NRF released the following statement from NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay following the announcement that a tentative agreement on wages and a short-term contract extension was reached between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX).

NRF released the following statement from NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay following concerns of a potential labor strike at U.S. ports on the East and Gulf Coasts. The International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance have until Sept. 30 to reach a new contract.

The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Chairman and CEO David Solomon will participate in a fireside chat with NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay at NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show. 

NRF welcomed a lawsuit filed the Department of Justice accusing Visa of violating federal antitrust law in its debit card practices but said the card network’s anticompetitive practices go further.

The NRF Foundation launched a new Customer Conflict De-escalation training program for front-line retail employees. The latest offering is part of the RISE Up educational training program and focuses on fostering a safe and positive environment for both retail employees and the millions of customers they serve. 

Early Halloween shopping is on the rise, with 47% of survey participants beginning their shopping before October, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. The figure is up from 37% five years ago and compares with just 32% in 2014.

Data released by the U.S. Census Bureau shows retail sales continued to grow in August, fueled by rising wages amid falling inflation, NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said.