Established in 1902, the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association originally helped people know who was credit-worthy in the days of trading crops for goods. Today, the NCRMA works to support retailers in a variety of aspects as well as represents the retail industry before the state’s general assembly and at the federal level.

NCRMA President and General Counsel Andy Ellen said the Association’s 2500 members representing 25,000 store locations across the state span all aspects of retail trade. Members benefit from training programs, legislative representation, scholarship opportunities, assistance with compliance issues, and more.

“We are the ninth largest state in the country, and we are experiencing so much growth,” Ellen said. “Retail follows rooftops. With so many people moving here from other states and the proliferation of retailers who have started their business post-COVID, the combination is driving our retail economy.”

North Carolina was recently ranked as the ‘number one state to do business’ by CNBC. Ellen said this draws a plethora of businesses and entrepreneurs to the state. With retail comprising one out of every four jobs in the state, NCRMA is also helping to build the workforce to support the industry. 

“Many people get their first job in the retail industry,” Ellen said. “These part-time jobs during high school or college teach kids so much about the business world. It gives them great base skills to move off of. With the RISE Up program with the National Retail Federation and through the community college system, we are working to expose more kids to these jobs.”

As part of its member benefits, NCRMA offers employees of its member companies the opportunity to apply to win a $2,500 scholarship. Twelve scholarships are awarded annually to high school seniors and college students, and since 2005, more than $2 million has been awarded to help students fund their education. 

Ellen said there are many retail-related jobs that people don’t necessarily see. Jobs including distribution, information technology, and marketing are available in relation to retail businesses, and any of these pathways can provide great career opportunities to people entering the workforce.

NCRMA also supports a large media campaign to help bring shoppers back to Main Street brick-and-mortar retailers, and Ellen said he’s seen a tremendous uplift in foot traffic.

“We are focusing on shopping in person,” Ellen said. “It feels good to walk into a store and smell fresh baked goods, feel different materials of clothing, or flip through the pages of books at a store. There’s also a social aspect to shopping, and we are offering a happy campaign to get people back into these places that they love so much.”

NCRMA uplifts retail businesses of all sizes. Ellen said larger members have larger advertising and marketing budgets that small independent businesses may not have. Supporting all retailers in a positive light helps everyone, as having full storefronts in shopping centers and downtowns increases foot traffic, which increases the overall success of the industry and creates thriving businesses for retailers large and small.

Supporting small independent businesses is especially important in small towns, according to Ellen. These are the businesses that tend to be sponsors of local Little League teams, high school marching bands, or arts groups. They are also the businesses likely participating in assistance after disasters and otherwise participating in their local community, and he said NCRMA hopes to support those that are in support of their community.

NCRMA also lobbies on behalf of retailers with a variety of objectives. For example, Ellen said they’ve been involved with helping pharmacies provide vaccinations for shingles, tetanus, and flu which creates an easy entry point for customers as well as supports those retail stores. Their lobbyists have also been involved in increasing penalties for shoplifting gangs and other retail crimes. Another aspect of NCRMA’s lobbying involves regulations within alcohol and grocery sales, as well as with sales tax compliance.

The social district idea developed by the Association is also being supported with House Bill 781 — Bring Business Back to Downtown. There are 44 towns within the state, many in WNC, that are adopting this idea that will help encourage people to peruse downtown shops and restaurants.

“We are giving people a reason to get off their couch and walk around downtown,” Ellen said. “Foot traffic helps bring customers in the doors which drives sales. This also provides an opportunity to create more of a community, and retailers are in support of building their communities.”