Jan Teague

President/CEO

360.943.9198, ext. 19

jteague@retailassociation.org

Mark Johnson

Vice President of Government Affairs

360.943.9198, ext. 15

mark.johnson@retailassociation.org

Tammie Hetrick

Vice President of Retail Services (RASI)

360.943.9198, ext. 13

 tammie@retailassociation.org

Jim Szymanski

Thanksgiving wishes

By Jan Teague, President/CEO

In the political world, there is a lot to be thankful for. 

I am thankful that the economy is turning around and that retailers are reporting strong November sales.  I am thankful for a strong stock market because this gives people confidence and optimism that generates the excitement we need for people to want to shop.  I am thankful that the weather is so good because this really helps with people's interest in getting out to shop.  I am thankful that the state's sales tax revenues are coming in as anticipated so we don't spend next session focused on creating a balanced budget with too little money.  I am thankful that the state Senate will operate with a coalition leadership that will help to create a sense of bipartisanship and create room for compromise.  I am thankful that Initiative 517 failed and retailers won't have to deal with more problems from signature gatherers.  These are just a few of the work-related issues that help me to have a bright day and allow me to go home today looking forward to Thanksgiving.

I am looking forward to my Thanksgiving  Day.  There are so many people in my life that I care about with five adult children, sixteen grandchildren, and both of my parents doing well in their mid eighties.  We expect to see a lot of them along with our adult siblings and their kids stopping by for dessert later in the day.  Friends have been invited for a drop in, too.  My husband makes award-winning fudge that draws a few to the house; others come for his pie.  It's great to have a good cook in the house because that is just not me.  By the way, I am thankful he is such a great cook! 

I was watching TV last night where the lead character was yearning for just one more day in his life to do some things he loved.  His list was simple, yet so affectionate and so longing to have those experiences just one more time; sipping a good wine, having the sun beat on his face, holding the one he loved, reading just one more good book, walking down his favorite trail.  It was an intimate list and one that reminds me just how fortunate we all are to be sharing this time, this place, and this world together right now. 

Enjoy your time with friends and family on Thanksgiving and into the holidays when we have the opportunity to think about what is important and how thankful we are.

WRA closed on Friday

The Washington Retail Association offices will be closed this Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

WRA will re-open for normal business again on Monday, Dec. 2. Meanwhile, we at WRA wish all of our members a safe and happy holiday weekend.

Prop 1 appears to pass, recount planned

King County elections officials Tuesday reported that SeaTac's Proposition 1 to spike minimum wages to $15 was narrowly heading for voter approval.

On the day the results were to be certified, elections officials reported the proposition was ahead by 77 votes, 3,039 in favor to 2,962 opposed.

WRA is part of a coalition of businesses opposed to the union-backed measure that would financially burden businesses located in SeaTac and the city government, lead to business closures and layoffs and discourage companies from expanding to SeaTac. The coalition has announced it will seek a hand recount of the results.

In addition to the vote total, several businesses have filed a federal court challenge seeking to declare the measure illegal.

"I'm really concerned that this will affect jobs," said Tammie Hetrick, WRA's VP of Retail Services.

The proposition was aimed at businesses located in SeaTac airport and surrounding support businesses, such as car rental stores. The measure threatens jobs, in large part, because airport businesses are not allowed to charge more for like services than competing businesses outside the airport. The higher wages would force airport businesses to cut expenses in order to compete with businesses outside the airport. Such spending cutbacks would likely take the form of layoffs.

Hetrick said other airport businesses are fearful they would have to close if the measure withstands the court challenge.

It would raise the current $9.19 minimum wage to $15 but also extend mandatory sick and safe leave benefits to SeaTac Airport businesses and hospitality and car rental businesses in SeaTac. Alaska Airlines and the Washington Restaurant Association are among those companies and organizations challenging the proposition in federal court.

The proposal's outcome now apparently rests with the court.

Sources: King County elections, Seattle Times

Workplace bullying back up for discussion

The topic of regulating alleged workplace bullying is scheduled to be discussed at a meeting of the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) advisory board next Thursday.

WRA's Tammie Hetrick, VP of Retail Services, is a member of that board and will be paying special attention to the bullying topic.

A bill last session regarding this topic failed to advance and WRA expressed several concerns about specifics in the bill. Hetrick will follow up report on the discussion after the advisory board meeting and report what the advisory board plans to do.

The board also is expected to receive a Labor and Industries update on efforts to inform employers about alerting their employees exposed to potentially dangerous chemicals.

Employers must keep data safety sheets in the workplace for each hazardous chemical used on the job. These sheets must be made part of a company's Accident Prevention Program.

Hazardous chemicals are substances that at least one study concludes can cause acute or chronic health effects after exposure. The potential hazards that can result include lung, skin, eye and mucous membrane damage, some of which eventually can result in disease.

Hazardous communications plans must be fully in force by June of 2016. These changes are coming about due to requirements outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. If you have questions about this issue, contact Rick Means, WRA's safety administrator, at 360-943-9198, Ext. 18 or at rick.means@retailassociation.org.

Shoppers elsewhere love tax-free weekends

By Mark Johnson, VP Government Affairs

So far, many Washington State shoppers have not felt the excitement and benefits of experiencing a sales tax free weekend.

It will take the approval of the state Legislature for such a promotion to be allowed in Washington.

Meanwhile, shoppers in other states have shared their excitement for the idea in a You Tube video produced for the Washington Retail Association, which favors establishing a tax-free weekend during the back-to-school shopping period. Click here to watch the short video.

Not only could our shoppers benefit. So would local and state governments from the additional revenues produced from the crowds eager to take advantage. Click here to identify your state legislators, then call or e-mail them and ask them to support a back-to-school tax-free holiday in Washington. You also may dial 800-562-6000 to leave a general message after identifying the legislators you're trying to reach.

Hear CEO Jan Teague on the radio

WRA President and CEO Jan Teague appeared on KGY radio in Olympia this week for a wide-ranging interview about the holiday shopping season and other issues of importance to the retail industry.

Jan was a guest as part of the station's Decision Makers interview series.

In the interview, Jan covered some of the reasons for the latest shopping trends on display this holiday season and explained how WRA serves its members. She also touched on a range of topics from Legislature considerations of a new gasoline tax, WRA's support of a back-to-school sales tax holiday and how WRA has addressed the issue of organized retail crime.

Click here to see the station's archives of the Decision Markers series, including the interview with Jan. 

NRF blog highlights 2013 holiday shopping trends

An estimated 97 million shoppers will descend upon retailers across the nation on Black Friday this week, according to the National Retail Federation blog.

About a third as many shoppers will launch one of the latest shopping trends this year, getting an early start by shopping at the stores open on Thanksgiving.

Among the hot shopping trends this year are the continuing popularity of gift cards and the emerging economic clout of millennials, those between the ages of 19 and 36. 

Click here to read the blog, including an interview with consumer analyst Pam Goodfellow. 

NRF touts the value of joining a state retail association

Fresh from a recent national meeting in Nashville, the National Retail Federation is strongly urging retailers of all shapes and sizes to consider joining and becoming active in a state retail organization.

NRF sent several representatives to the Council of State Retail Association's annual meeting, where WRA was in attendance, and was favorably impressed with the presenters and range of issues addressed at the meeting.

Click here to read the commentary in a blog by Michael Cys, NRF's VP of State Relations and Political Affairs. NRF also lists state associations including WRA on its website. (link).

WRA offers members a host of benefits and lobbying representation in the state legislature and others levels of government that can prove invaluable. To learn more about WRA membership, contact Terry Hopsecger, Director of Business Development, at 360-943-9198, Ext. 24 or at terry@retailassociationservices.com.

RASI website offers rate calculator for 2014 insurance rates

WRA invites companies to use a calculator on its website to figure out proposed workers' compensation insurance rates likely to go into effect in January.

To access the calculator, go to www.retailassociationservices.com (Retail Association Services, Inc.) and click inside the red box that comes up on the page. Once at the worksheet, simply type in the numeric code inside the "risk class" box for your type of business and the calculator will generate how much rates to employers and employees are proposed to increase or decrease next year.

L&I is conducting public hearings around the state this month to take input before making a final decision on next year's rates. Click here to learn about times and locations for L&I's public hearings and how to submit written comments.

Website visitors do not have to be WRA members to use the rate calculator.

HR seminar Dec. 5 in Seattle

WRA members may obtain a discounted registration fee for the Dec. 5 Labor and Employment seminar to be hosted in Seattle by the law firm Lane Powell.

Topics to be covered include recent legal trends related to human resources, the Affordable Care Act, the effects of Seattle's criminal background check ordinance and same-sex marriages.

The event, beginning at 7:30 a.m., will be held in the Johnson Lobby Lounge of the Washington Athletic Club, 1325 Sixth Avenue in Seattle.

Click here to register or call 206-223-1227 or e-mail Jean Delovino, delovino@lanepowell.com with questions.

L&I issues crowd control guidelines

Labor & Industries this week issued a bulletin to retailers who will have to manage a crush of consumers during the annual kickoff to the holiday shopping season  on Thanksgiving and the following weekend.

The bulletin noted that a retail worker was trampled to death during the 2008 holiday shopping season due to inadequate crowd control measures.

The bulletin included a Department of Labor news release with crowd management guidelines. They include erecting barricades or rope lines for pedestrians, clearly explaining approach and entrance procedures, not blocking or locking exit doors and not allowing customers to enter a store when it has reached the maximum occupancy level.

Click here for federal crowd management safety guidelines. For other guidelines from the National Retail Federation, click here.

State forecasts slight revenue increase through 2015

Latest estimates have the state collecting $25 million more in tax revenues through 2015 than expected.

Regardless, the increase is considered slight because the state general fund will be about $33 billion over that time period.

The Economic Revenue Forecast Council issued its latest state revenue estimate last week. The Governor and Legislature use the report as a guideline in formulating state budget proposals.

Gov. Inslee is expected to release a supplemental budget proposal next month, prior to the start of the 2014 legislative session on January 13.

Chief state economist Steve Lerch is forecasting slow economic and job growth for the state. In his report, Lerch noted that home prices and mortgage rates are rising. He expressed concern about a slowing in the issuance of housing construction permits since April of this year. The report also notes that growth in sales taxes has slowed the past two months.

Visit ERFC to read the entire forecast.

Watch video overview of WRA's discount shipping partner

WRA's third-party shipping provider, PartnerShip, has released a short video overview of the discount services it offers customers.

As a WRA member, you could begin saving up to 27 percent on select FedEx shipping services by joining PartnerShip free of charge.

Four other possible advantages of joining PartnerShip include:

*Routing management. Based on an analysis of shipments, PartnerShip will recommend the best shippers for particular routes. The recommendation is based on a carrier's cost effectiveness and customer service.

*Bill auditing. Vendors such as PartnerShip say they often find invoices with rate errors of up to 10 percent in favor of the freight carrier. Corrections are made before the third-party vendor sends the bill to the customer.

*Improved inbound shipping. By relying on vendors to control your inbound shipping, it can be difficult to learn how and when your orders will be shipped and delivered. You can gain that knowledge by arranging shipping through a third party partner such as PartnerShip.

*Consolidated invoices. For frequent shippers, this can mean paying only one bill weekly or monthly as opposed to paying for each shipment.

Click here to watch the video overview of the company and obtain contact information. Also, visit PartnerShip's website and its improved, separate shipping website. 

WRA shipping partner offers prize sweepstakes

WRA members who sign up for shipping savings through PartnerShip, 

affiliated with WRA, will qualify for a prize sweepstakes through the FedEx shipping service.

Joining Partnership automatically qualifies a company to enter the contest. Also, each shipment through PartnerShip between Nov. 4 and Dec. 27 will qualify a company for additional contest entries, up to a limit of 50 entries.

Prizes include a $10,000 grand prize, a $2,500 first price and weekly drawings for $100 American Express gift cards. Click here to learn more about the contest and to enroll in Partnership.

As an enrolled WRA member of PartnerShip, companies can save up to 27 percent on select FedEx services.

Retailers urge Congress to approve national sales tax reform

The Retail Industry Leaders Association has issued a renewed call for Congress to pass the Marketplace Fairness Act as soon as possible.

The act would require online retailers to charge sales taxes just as all traditiona brick-and-mortar stores do and thereby level the competitive environment for both forms of retail.

RILA cited a 2013 study by economist Arthur Laffer, who served under President Reagan, that concludes that national sales tax reform coupled with state tax cuts could generate 1.5 million new jobs nationally in the next decade. Without reform, a coalition of retailers including WRA fears that the current competitive price disadvantage for brick-and-mortar retailers will result in lost jobs and store closures.

Click here to read the Arthur Laffer study.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate approved national sales tax reform. The House has yet to take final action on a companion bill.

WRA CEO Jan Teague is arranging personal visits with six members of the Washington Congressional delegation who have voted for or expresses support for the reform. Jan will present each member of the delegation with awards of appreciation from the National Retail Federation.

They are Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and House members Derek Kilmer, Rick Larsen, Adam Smith and Suzan DelBene.

Small Business Saturday is this weekend

WRA and sponsor American Express remind shoppers that Small Business Saturday is this weekend.

Now in its fourth year, the promotion is dedicated to supporting small businesses across the country. By far, most businesses statewide are small and are critical to the economic engine generating  job creation and economic recovery.

WRA encourages consumers to shop at small, neighborhood establishments this weekend that retain the investments in local communites.

American Express is also running a special promotion extending credit to some cardholders who shop small this weekend.

Click here to learn more. Click here to watch a video about Small Business Saturday.

Problems plague state Health Care Exchange, consumers

Various media reports in the past week outlined continuing problems for consumers hoping to sign up online for health insurance not just nationally, but statewide as well.

A Seattle Times report told of thousands of callers to the Washington Healthplanfinder who simply hung up in frustration after waiting fruitlessly to get help. The story told of more than 44,000 callers in October who hung up rather than leave a message because a toll-free hotline was overwhelmed an unable to keep up with questions. Less than one third of the callers were able to get help, the story reported.

During a hearing of the state Senate Health Care committee last week, several  legislators told of receiving complaint calls from constituents about significant premium increases under the new national health care policy.

Visit hearing to read a Washington State Wire report on the committee meeting.

Sources: Seattle Times, Washington State Wire

Safety tip: (one in a series)

Learn to use ladders safely

Ladders are one of the major causes of fall-related fatalities, according to the National Safety Council's statistics. It is estimated that in any given year, 65,000 people receive emergency room treatment due to ladder accidents. 

Most ladder incidents happen at ten feet or less from the ground.  Rick Means, WRA's safety advisor, suggests that you:

*Always take proper precautions when choosing a ladder based on the type of work being done, the weight the ladder must carry, and the condition of the ladder. Make sure that the weight rating will support the weight of the worker plus materials.

*Keep in mind that the length of ladder is different from its usable length. Make sure that the ladder is long enough for the job. Never stand on the top step of a step ladder or the top three rungs of a straight or extension ladder.

*Examine the ladder for any defects or features that can be potentially dangerous.

*Protect your ladders by storing them where they are protected from the weather and other damage.

Remember, the key to preventing accidents is to take proper precautions. Always read and following all instructions accompanying ladders, properly set up the ladders, and use good sense while working on ladders.

Click here and here for links to further ladder safety information.

WRA employs Rick Means as a safety advisor to members. He's available for workplace safety visits or to help outline safety plans and to suggest topics for safety meetings. Contact him at 360-943-9198, Ext. 18 or at rick.means@retailassociationservices.com.