Two errors in the federal tax reform law are costing the retail industry millions of dollars and delaying investments.

July retail sales were up 0.4 percent from June and 4.9 percent year-over-year, giving the industry a solid kickoff for the third quarter and backing up NRF's revised forecast that sales will grow at least 4.5 percent for the year.

NRF now expects 2018 retail sales to increase by 4.5 percent over 2017 rather than the 3.8 to 4.4 percent forecast earlier this year. The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants.

With retail sales rising and retailers rushing to bring merchandise into the country ahead of proposed new tariffs on products from China, imports at the naiton's major retail container ports have set two new records this summer and are expected to set another this month, according to NRF's Global Port Tracker report.

NRF says the final list of $16 billion in goods from China subject to a 25 percent tariff is "just another step toward thowing away the benefits of tax reform."

July saw monthly gains in general merchandise stores, clothing and accessories stores, and food and beverage stores. 

Successful retail segmentation owed in part to skilled management and strategy rather than any particular game-changing innovation led companies to top the list of Hot 100 Retailers published today by the National Retail Federation’s STORES magazine.  

The National Retail Federation today issued a statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay following reports that the administration will propose tariffs of 25 percent rather than 10 percent on $200 billion in goods from China.

The National Retail Federation today urged the House to pass two bills scheduled for votes this week that would advance flexibility for retail employees with health savings accounts. All related votes may be included in NRF’s annual voting scorecard.

A small Florida-based retailer who sells both in-store and online told Congress last month’s Supreme Court ruling in favor of online sales tax collection will end a price disadvantage suffered by local stores without creating an undue burden for internet sellers.