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With the economy slowing but still growing and inflation down as the Federal Reserve prepares to lower interest rates, the United States appears to have dodged a recession, NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said.

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.

Retail sales data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau shows consumers continued to increase their spending in July even as growth of the economy is moderating, NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said.

Retail sales continued to grow in July as consumers shopped for school and college supplies and took advantage of special promotion days offered by some retailers, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released today by NRF.

he National Retail Federation today announced the 2024 Hot 25 Retailers List. Produced by Kantar, the list highlights the fastest-growing retailers in the U.S., with rankings determined by each company’s year-over-year increase in domestic sales from 2022 to 2023.

Monthly inbound cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports could see a near-record surge this month as retailers bring in merchandise ahead of a potential strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports this fall, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz says key elements of the economy are still growing but appear to have slowed enough to be on track for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates later this year.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) today released the following statement from Executive Vice President of Government Relations David French, reaffirming support for the House-passed Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act (H.R. 7024) ahead of the Senate vote on Thursday.

The National Retail Federation today presented the 2024 J. Thomas Weyant Award to Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance. Locklair was recognized at NRF’s Retail Advocates Summit, where retailers, industry leaders and policymakers from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., for the retail industry’s premier advocacy event.

The National Retail Federation 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. The “Champion of Main Street” award honors members of Congress who have demonstrated outstanding leadership on key policies to bolster the retail community.