Media Center

Despite broad indications that the economy has begun to recover as businesses reopen from the coronavirus pandemic, conflicting data makes it difficult to say how steadily the comeback will continue, NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz says.

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from NRF Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French regarding the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools (HEALS) Act, the Republican version of additional stimulus funds, in response to the coronavirus pandemic: 

NRF welcomed legislation introduced this week that would give small businesses new coronavirus pandemic assistance that could be used to pay expenses such as rent and taxes rather than just employee wages.

NRF, AAFA, FDRA, RILA and USFIA are working together to address the situation.

NRF and several prominent business organizations including the National Association of Manufacturers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, TechNet and Intrax filed a lawsuit in federal court opposing President Trump’s proclamation suspending new nonimmigrant visas.

NRF urged the Senate to approve legislation that would create a new tax credit intended to ease the cost of steps taken to make stores and other workplaces safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

NRF welcomed legislation introduced that would give businesses a tax credit intended to help defer the cost of employee testing, personal protective equipment, cleaning and other steps needed to make workplaces safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

Retail sales rose in June, seeing both a monthly increase and their first year-over-year gain since February as more retailers and other businesses closed by the coronavirus pandemic reopened, but continued COVID-19 outbreaks remain a threat, according to NRF.

It is critically important that we have a national mask standard implemented locally. Retailers are protecting the health and safety of communities they serve. Our elected leaders need to set politics aside and follow their example.

Consumers tentatively plan to spend a record amount to prepare students for school and college this year as they buy more laptops and computer accessories in anticipation that at least some classes will take place online because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the annual survey from NRF and Prosper Insights & Analytics.