Retail sales slow in September but remain strong year over year
Retail sales eased in September following a busy summer, but year-over-year growth remained solid as retailers look ahead to the holiday season, […]
Consumers expected to return nearly $850 billion in merchandise in 2025
Retailers anticipate that 15.8% of sales will be returned in 2025, totaling $849.9 billion, according to the 2025 Retail Returns Landscape report […]
Walmart’s Investment in Washington Communities
Image: Walmart Walmart’s presence in Washington goes beyond its stores. Along with providing goods and services across the state, the company has […]
Olympia City Council raises B&O tax to address budget deficit
Following months of analysis and community input, the Olympia City Council provided staff with direction on October 14 to move forward with Business […]
Seattle City Council approves public safety sales tax
The Seattle City Council has approved a 0.1 percent public safety sales tax by a vote of 8–1, a measure expected to […]
Opinion: After a year of high minimum wages, a new report shows workers are working less and earning less
Mark Harmsworth writes that minimum wages sound compassionate, but they ignore basic economics: when labor costs spike artificially, employers reduce hiring, training, […]
Holiday spending expected to remain strong in 2025
Consumers plan to spend an average of $890.49 this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey conducted by Prosper […]
Washington minimum wage to increase to $17.13 in 2026
Beginning January 1, 2026, Washington’s minimum wage will rise to $17.13 per hour, a 2.8 percent increase from the current $16.66 rate, […]
Opinion: Let’s talk honestly about Prop 1 and its unintended consequences
Wayne Fournier is a Thurston County commissioner, lifelong union member and former mayor of Tenino. The Daily Chronicle Posted Monday, September 29, […]
WR Local Government PAC announces new round of endorsed candidates
The Washington Retail Association’s Local Government Political Action Committee is proud to announce its latest round of endorsements for candidates running in […]
Grays Harbor man sentenced for leading organized retail theft operation
Shawn Sinnett’s home was searched, and a large amount of evidence was seized. Photo credit: Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office A Grays […]
Holiday season could be at risk as federal shutdown continues
The National Retail Federation (NRF) is urging Congress to end the federal government shutdown that began on October 1 after lawmakers failed […]