AFT Calls on New Congress to Resolve Harmful Trade Practices

WASHINGTON, D.C., (January, 29, 2021) — Americans for Free Trade (AFT) sent a letter to the 117th Congress urging lawmakers to resolve ongoing trade disputes and extend section 301 tariff exclusions.  More than 165 trade associations, including the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) and National Ski & Snowboard Retailers Association (NSSRA) signed the letter, calling on members of Congress to take … Continued

SBA Takes Steps to Improve First Draw PPP Loan Review

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 26, 2021) – The U.S. Small Business Administration is taking steps to improve the First Draw Paycheck Protection Program loan review so that small businesses have as much time as possible to access much needed PPP funds. The Biden-Harris Administration is focused on ensuring small businesses receive the support they need to keep their doors … Continued

NRF, Industry Groups Challenge California OSHA Ruling

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 16, 2020) – The National Retail Federation (NRF), the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and three small-business plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the state of California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The lawsuit challenges the COVID-related emergency regulations enacted November 30, which include extensive requirements for employers to exclude potentially large … Continued

NRF Expects 2020 Holiday Expects 2020 Holiday Sales Will Grow Between 3.6 and 5.2 Percent

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 23, 2020) – With retail sales rebounding strongly because of continued consumer resilience, the National Retail Federation (NRF) forecast that holiday sales during November and December 2020 will increase between 3.6 percent and 5.2 percent over 2019, to a total between $755.3 billion and $766.7 billion. The numbers, which exclude automobile dealers, gasoline … Continued

NRF Sees Earlier Holiday Shopping Embraced by Consumers

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 16, 2020) – More than 40 percent of holiday shoppers say they started earlier than they normally do, according to the annual survey released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. “Retailers have demonstrated their commitment and ability to ensure safe shopping environments for their customers and their associates,” said … Continued

New Survey Explores Shift in Fitness Activities, Future Purchase Behaviors

By Nick RigitanoNSGA Director of Insights and Analysis DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS (November 5, 2020) – According to the latest wave of a survey conducted by Irwin Broh Research exploring the shift in consumers’ fitness habits and future purchase behaviors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both active and on-hold gym memberships declined since May. The number of … Continued

University of Wisconsin Study Shows High School Sports Didn’t Increase COVID Infections in Athletes

STEVENS POINT, WISCONSIN (October 23, 2020) – A study conducted by the Department of Orthopedics & Rehabilitation at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health concluded participation in high school sports in Wisconsin has not led to an increase in COVID-19 infections among high school student-athletes. The COVID-19 in Wisconsin High School Athletics study conducted by … Continued

Study: Disruption of Youth Sports Programs From COVID-19

RIDGEFIELD, CONNECTICUT (October 14, 2020) – Team-based youth sports have struggled to return to play compared to individual-based sports during COVID-19. Those are the results of a study by Tipevo, which produces an on-line directory for finding, connecting and reviewing youth sports programs in nearly 30 sports across the United States. Tipevo analyzed the social media … Continued