WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay in response to the guilty verdict of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd.
“A little less than a year ago, we were confronted with the brutal death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. This tragedy triggered a national conversation that forced us to confront systemic racism.
“Today is the beginning of a new chapter in our national reckoning related to race and community policing. Our retail leaders have made themselves personally and professionally accountable in their effort to promote diversity, equity and inclusion for their employees, customers and the communities they serve. They are investing time and resources in support of individuals and organizations that advance awareness and action around this country’s racial divide, and NRF will continue to convene companies to share best practices and learn from each other.
“The struggle at the very heart of this tragedy requires us to reflect upon the destructive challenge of racism, and it is imperative that we find peaceful ways to address and bridge the racial divide in this country.”
About NRF
The National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association, passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail thrive. 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 $3.9 trillion to annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 52 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