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The Retail Advocate

The Retail EmployerAugust 2008

Local Issues

Disaster Preparedness

Henrico County is hosting a Disaster Preparedness program on September 17th, 2008.  The meeting is open to all business owners in the Richmond Region.

Henrico County bans solictitation from highways

Board of Supervisors passed an ordiance - To amend and reordain Section 22-181 of the Code of the County of Henrico titled "Distributing handbills, soliciting contributions or selling merchandise in highway" to include all highways located within the County.

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State Issues

Felony Threshold: Crime Commission meeting September 9, 2008

The Crime Commission will meet at 10:00 a.m. on September 9th in Senate Room A located in the General Assembly building, 9th street and Broad St.  At this meeting the Crime Commission staff will present its findings on the impact an increase in the Felony Threshold would have on the Retail Industry and the Judicial System.  Public comment will not be taken at the September meeting but will be reserved for the October14th meeting that will be held in House Room C at 10:00 a.m.

During the 2008 session Senator Reynolds introduced SB351 which would raise the felony threshold from the present $200 to $500.  The Virginia Retail Federation has opposed all attempts to increase the threshold for more that fifteen years.  If the Crime Commission recommends an increase, we feel that the Senate would support the increase; however, conversations with House of Delegate members indicate a reluctance to change the threshold at this time.  A vote to support a threshold increase could be used as a campaign issue by their opponent since 2009 is an election year for the House members. 

Your participation in the September 9th meeting to hear first hand the Crime Commission finding and by attending the October 14th meeting and provide testimony on how the increase in felony threshold would negatively affect your company is important in preventing an increase in the threshold.  If you plan to attend please call George Peyton, 662-5505.

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Definition of Antique

Antique Dealers are invited to participate in a meeting August 18, 2008, 2:00 p.m., at the RMA Headquarter, 5101 Monument Ave.  The meeting is in response to HB628 introduced by Delegate Joe May during the 2008 session that would create a definition of antique.  At the request of the Virginia Retail Federation Delegate May had the bill carried over in order to get additional input from stakeholders in the antique industry.

Included on the agenda will be a discussion on the issue of:

  1. Fakes, fraud and false advertising in the antiques and collectible marketplace.
  2. A value of obtaining a legal definition of the words, “Antique”, “Vintage” and “Collectibles”.
  3. The initiation of a certification program for professional antique dealers.

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Plastic Bag Ban

The VRF continues to meet with a large coalition, made up of retailers, county officials from Isle of Wight County, waste haulers, environmental groups and the Department of Environmental Quality, to address the issue of banning plastic bags.  A work plan will be developed by this group by the end of September.  Emphasis will be placed on educating the public on the importance of recycling and the prevention of litter.  Isle of Wight County will be submitting a request for a grant from the Litter and Recycling Advisory Board to establish an educational pilot program that once it is implemented by Isle of Wight and determined to be successful can be used throughout the Commonwealth.Back to top

Federal Issues*

* © 2007. NRF Enterprises, Inc. used with permission.

FACTA Compliance Deadline: November 1, 2008

The deadline for FACTA (Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act) compliance is November 1, 2008.   The SLPA, (Security and Loss Prevention Association) will address this issue in their August 26 meeting. Business owners and managers are encouraged to attend this meeting that will include information on how to prepare for the red flag rules—deadline for compliance, November 1, 2008.

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Consumers focus on necessities and hold back on discretionary spending in June, according to NRF

Although millions of tax rebate checks hit mailboxes in June, consumer spending remained soft last month. According to NRF, retail industry sales for June (which exclude automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) rose 1.3% unadjusted over last year and increased 0.2% seasonally adjusted month-to-month. Read more here.

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Michigan bill motivates grocers to sell healthful foods

A new law in Michigan allows local government to give tax breaks to supermarkets that sell fresh produce and groceries in poor urban and rural areas. "This new measure will [help] make Michiganians healthier and spur neighborhood revitalization," said one state legislator. WILX-TV (Lansing/Jackson, Mich.) (7/18)Back to top

Lawmakers to push bill banning toxins from children's products

Congressional lawmakers have proposed a bill aimed at revamping consumer product safety. The bill would take effect in six months and would ban various types of phthalates and lead. President George W. Bush opposes the ban, but it is not clear if he plans to veto the bill. The Washington Post (7/29) , Reuters (7/28)

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Seattle to impose shopping-bag fee

Seattle shoppers will soon pay a 20-cent bag charge when they use disposable paper or plastic shopping bags provided at drug, convenience and grocery stores. The City Council approved the charge on Monday, and it will go into effect in January. Seattle residents use 360 million paper or plastic bags annually, according to city officials. The Seattle Times (7/28)

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FMI supports anti-theft bills

FMI and other retail industry groups applauded the E-Fencing Enforcement Act of 2008, which takes aim at thieves reselling stolen goods over the Internet and is one of several bills recently introduced to combat organized retail crime. "There's no single solution. The more [lawmakers] involved, the better the chance we will get something accomplished," said Ty Kelley, director of government relations for FMI. Supermarket News (8/4)

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New food-labeling rules to have $2.5 billion price tag

Federal food-labeling rules designed to help consumers determine the country of origin of fresh and frozen produce, meat, chicken and other food products, will become effective Sept. 30. U.S. food companies will see increased costs from the rules and might be forced to pass them on to consumers. The Oregonian (Portland) (8/2)

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Retail data theft suspects charged

Eleven people have been charged in the retailer data breach that caused more than 41 million credit and debit card numbers to be stolen and sold, the Justice Department announced Tuesday. The hackers targeted TJX, Boston Market, BJ's Wholesale Club, Sports Authority, OfficeMax, Barnes & Noble, Forever 21 and DSW in a "wardriving" scheme. Detroit Free Press/Associated Press (8/5) , Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (8/6)

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FDA calls for input on allergen labeling

The FDA has asked players in the food industry to provide input on allergy advisory labeling on food packaging. The move is precipitated by non-uniform use of such warning labels, particularly in instances where there could be allergen cross-contamination, according to media reports. FoodNavigator (8/8)

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