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RAPAPORT... The National Retail Federation (NRF), the largest U.S. organization that represents retailers, invested several million dollars in creating a Retail Research and Analysis Center, which will serve as a hub for economic and consumer spending data and trends, and legislative and regulatory policies that affect the industry. The new division will bring together all existing research within NRF and intends to expand the range of issues in support of retailers. “NRF is at the forefront of research and analysis that impact our industry, the consumers it serves and the economy in which it operates,” said NRF's president and CEO, Matthew Shay. “By significantly investing in the future expansion and scope of NRF research, our members will have additional tools and insight as they operate in a very dynamic marketplace. And our advocates will have the facts they need to advance retail’s policy agenda.” Ellen Davis will serve as NRF’s senior vice president of research and strategic initiatives, overseeing the new center, but will also continue to function as executive director of the NRF Foundation. Davis said, “It is extremely exciting to be a part of building upon one of the core services we provide to our members, the media, analysts and decision makers. Studies, surveys, white papers and critical analysis by industry leaders help us frame policy debates, identify trends and change perceptions about retail’s evolution. As the nation’s largest private-sector employer and an industry that contributes $2.6 trillion dollars annually to the U.S. GDP, the retail industry impacts all sectors of our economy and is uniquely positioned to provide business insights and analysis to shape key debates in Washington.” The NRF is conducting an executive search for a new vice president of research development and industry analysis, reporting to Davis.
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