WR Senior Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs, Mark Johnson, was the guest speaker at the Bellevue Rotary Club Tuesday luncheon. Bellevue Rotary is one of the oldest and largest clubs in Washington State. Johnson’s speech was titled “The State of Retail and Major Issues Facing the Retail Industry.”
Johnson highlighted the importance of the retail industry in terms of sales, tax collections, and employment opportunities. He noted that Washington State has long been a leader in retail, at the forefront of innovation and creativity.
The major issues Johnson addressed included worker and customer safety, retail theft and organized retail crime, artificial intelligence, workforce development, tax increase proposals, gift cards, and the initiatives on the November ballot. He placed particular emphasis on organized retail crime and the solutions being explored, including an ORC Summit scheduled for October.
The sold-out crowd posed many thought-provoking questions. One question concerned how the state expects retailers to get reimbursed for the value of gift cards returned to the state when the customer redeems them. There was also significant discussion about the energy choice initiative, I-2066, which would allow customers to continue the use of natural gas in their homes and businesses.
The energy and accomplishments of the Bellevue Rotary Club, particularly the amazing kid’s park appropriately named “Inspiration Playground” in the heart of town are impressive.
Part of WR’s mission is to educate and activate citizens and leadership groups to ensure the retail industry continues to thrive and grow.
