“Category: Business”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 10, 2021) – The U.S. Small Business Administration and lenders are taking more strides to improve the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) so small businesses can access much needed PPP funds to persevere through the pandemic, recover, and build back better.  The Administration is working with the Agency to increase equitable access to underserved small businesses, to assure … Continued

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

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

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

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 18, 2020) – The U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released guidance clarifying the tax treatment of expenses where a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan has not been forgiven by the end of the year the loan was received.  Since businesses are not taxed on the proceeds of a forgiven PPP … Continued

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

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

NSGA looks at an Irwin Broh survey on fitness activities and future purchase plans.