WASHINGTON, 2016-May-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — The National Retail Federation today announced that it has named Gary Cammack, owner of Cammack Ranch Supply in Union Center, S.D., as the 2016 America’s Retail Champion of the Year. The award was presented Tuesday night at NRF’s annual Retail Advocates Summit as small retailers from across the country were honored for their advocacy on behalf of the industry while in Washington to meet with members of Congress on a variety of public policy issues.
“The fact that scores of small retailers have taken crucial time away from running their businesses to come to Washington this week speaks volumes about how important public policy issues are to Main Street merchants,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said.
“Gary is a true grassroots advocate and as a leader in the retail industry, he ensures that retail’s voice is heard in a wide range of policy discussions,” Shay said. “By staying involved with all levels of government, Gary is helping to advance the public policy agenda for retailers, their employees and customers in communities large and small across America.”
Cammack was selected by a committee of small retailers and state retail association executives from a group of five finalists who also included Ricky Bromberg of Bromberg & Co. Inc. in Birmingham, Ala.; Hillary Feder of Hillary’s in Hopkins, Minn.; Jeff Joyce of Mieras Family Shoes in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Gary Novotny of Gary Michael’s Clothiers in Lincoln, Neb.
The America’s Retail Champions program, now in its third year, honors retailers who make their mark on public policy debates affecting the industry. More than 100 retailers, with diversity ranging from small and mid-size store owners to online sellers, were nominated based on engagement in public policy discussions on issues ranging from patent reform and online sales tax to data security and workforce issues.
Participants will meet with members of the House and Senate today on Capitol Hill to discuss the retail industry’s public policy agenda and priorities.
NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF’s This is Retail campaign highlights the industry’s opportunities for life-long careers, how retailers strengthen communities, and the critical role that retail plays in driving innovation. nrf.com
Treacy Reynolds
press@nrf.com
(855) NRF-Press
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