NRF, RILA to Merge; Mullin to Retire

ELLIOT ZWIEBACH

WASHINGTON — The executive committees of the National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association said they have agreed in principle to merge into a single trade association.

The merger is expected to be completed by this summer, though a new name for the group has not yet been selected.

"This new partnership will allow retailers to have a cohesive, powerful voice on important public policy issues and enable greater networking for retailers in all categories,” said Tracy Mullin, president and chief executive officer of NRF. “Our vendor community will be able to take advantage of some economies of scale, reaching out to potential customers through a series of coordinated industry events instead of trying to make decisions on which competing conferences to attend."

Mullin also said she had decided, prior to the merger announcement, to retire after 30 years with NRF.

NRF encompasses members from all retail formats and distribution channels, with a mission to protect and advance the interests of the retail industry; RILA promotes consumer choice and economic freedom through public policy and industry operational excellence.

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