June retail sales were up 0.07 percent seasonally adjusted from May’s strong performance and increased 4.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year as economic growth continued despite the U.S. trade war with China and other countries, according to NRF.

Families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average $684.79 each. Those with young people heading to college as well as college and graduate students purchasing for themselves plan to spend an average $942.17 each.

The National Retail Federation issued the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay after the Senate approved a “motion to instruct” related to congressional approval of national-security designated tariffs.

The National Retail Federation issued the following statement from Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French after the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative released a list of $200 billion of Chinese imports to be subject to new tariffs.

Driven by increasing consumer demand and rising retail sales, imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are expected to set a new record this month even though new tariffs on goods from China just took effect, according to the Global Port Tracker from NRF and Hackett Associates.

Retail industry employment in June increased by 50,200 jobs unadjusted over the same time last year despite a seasonally adjusted drop from May of 25,800, according to NRF. The numbers exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants.

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay in regard to U.S. tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese goods set to take effect Friday.

Launching new strategies, augmenting the in-store experience and reengineering both logistics and digital commerce capabilities helped the largest U.S. retailers maintain their edge during the past year, according to the annual Top 100 Retailers list released today by the National Retail Federation’s STORES Magazine and Kantar Consulting. 

NRF called a new California privacy law "deeply flawed" and said customer service could be severely hampered if the legislature fails to address retailers' concerns before the measure take effect in 2020.

The National Retail Federation issued the following statement from Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French after a vote on “compromise” immigration legislation failed today in the House.