News

NRF Says Economy Should Continue ‘Bustling Forward’ Even as Fed Works to Bring Inflation under Control
The economy’s fast-paced growth could slow somewhat as the Federal Reserve tries to bring inflation under control in the next few months, but consumers are likely to keep on shopping as lower inflation eases uncertainty, National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. While the Fed’s actions could mean higher car and mortgage payments, Kleinhenz said household finances have remained strong despite consumers’ worries over inflation and the war in Ukraine. The 4 percent year-over-year increase in retail sales in March showed consumers have the willingness and ability to spend as a result of job growth, wage gains and wealth accumulated during the pandemic as well as low financial obligations relative to income. | More Information


Mother’s Day Spending to Reach Record High
Mother’s Day spending is expected to total $31.7 billion this year, up $3.6 billion from 2021’s record spending, according to the annual consumer survey* released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. Approximately 84 percent of U.S. adults are expected to celebrate Mother’s Day. Consumers plan to spend $25 more this year on Mother’s Day purchases and are expected to spend a record average of $245.76. | More Information


Outdoor Retailer Releases Floor Plan, Exhibitor List for Summer Show
Details about the upcoming Outdoor Retailer (OR) show in Denver were published today, including the event’s exhibitor list, floor plan, and education and event lineup. Staging June 9-11 at the Colorado Convention Center, the show will be the last in Denver before the event decamps for Salt Lake City at the beginning of 2023. The exhibitor list includes nearly 500 brands, though some notable companies that have skipped the last couple of shows are also absent here, like Patagonia, The North Face, and Black Diamond. Some of the larger brands on the list include CamelBak, Dometic, Fjallraven, Helly Hansen, Hydro Flask, Mystery Ranch, Osprey, Sea to Summit, and YETI. | More Information


2022 Firearm Industry Compliance Education 
In 2022, NSSF®, the firearm industry trade association, will be providing industry businesses with FREE in-depth compliance online training and insights via the 2022 Firearm Industry Compliance Education Series — a monthly, live webinar series, with a focus on topics central to our industry including ATF inspection preparedness, Straw Purchase awareness, improving store security, OSHA lead & noise compliance and much more. NSSF is committed to helping your company improve operations, public safety and the overall health of the firearms industry. | More Information

March Retail Sales Grew Despite Higher Inflation 
Retail sales grew in March even as inflation edged higher, the National Retail Federation. “March retail sales show that consumers have maintained their ability to spend in the face of record-level inflation, supply chain issues and geopolitical unrest,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Consumers are adapting and shopping smarter for themselves and their families. We believe the strength of the consumer can carry the economy through this considerable economic uncertainty if policymakers implement measured policies and do not overreact to current conditions.” | More Information


U.S. Ports Seeing Brief Slowdown from Last Year but Imports Remain High
The nation’s major retail container ports have begun to catch up with the backlog of cargo seen over the past several months, but could experience another surge this summer, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 2.11 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units – one 20-foot container or its equivalent – in February, the latest month for which final numbers are available. That was down 2.3 percent from January but up 13 percent year-over-year. Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said volumes remained high in February despite factories in parts of Asia closing for the Lunar New Year holiday because U.S. ports were able to handle cargo from ships already waiting for a berth. | More Information


Firearms Industry Economic Impact Rises 269 Percent Since 2008 
The total economic impact of the firearm and ammunition industry in the United States increased from $19.1 billion in 2008 to $70.52 billion in 2021, a 269 percent increase, while the total number of full-time equivalent jobs rose from approximately 166,000 to over 375,819, a 126 percent increase in that period, according to a report released by the NSSF, the firearm industry trade association. On a year-over-year basis, the industry’s economic impact rose from $63.5 billion in 2020 to $70.52 billion. Total jobs increased by over 33,000 in the same period, from 342,330 to 375,819. The firearm industry has broader impacts throughout the economy, and it supports and generates business for companies unrelated to firearms, including banking, retail, accounting, metalworking, and printing. | More Information


Legislation to Conserve America’s Largest Watershed
ASA Inland Fisheries Policy manager, Connor Bevin, discusses urgent legislation making its way through Congress. The Mississippi River Restoration and Resiliency Initiative (MRRRI), modeled on other successful regional restoration programs, will authorize $300 million in federal funding to support integrated state efforts to improve water quality, conserve wildlife habitats and combat the spread of invasive species. | More Information

 

Registration Now Open for the 2022 NSSF Marketing & Leadership Summit
Join the industry’s leading executives and marketing professionals for two days of insights, education, and more networking opportunities than ever before at the first-ever NSSF Leadership and Marketing Summit from May 11-12, at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort right outside Austin, Texas. Combining elements from two of NSSF’s most popular events, the Industry Summit and CMO Summit, this is an industry super-conference you don’t want to miss. | More Information


New Toy Fair Everywhere Toy Buying Events Begin in March 
Toy and children’s product manufacturers looking for new ways to get their products on shelves are invited to participate in Toy Fair Everywhere’s new targeted product category events. March 21 kicks off the first month long spotlight on Outdoor Play and Sporting Goods sellers, focusing on products available for purchase by Memorial Day. Subsequent category market events planned through November include: Arts & Crafts (beginning April 18), Games & Puzzles (beginning May 16), Learning & Educational/School Supplies (beginning June 13), Infant and Preschool (beginning July 11), Apparel & Accessories, Costumes, Pretend & Role Play (beginning August 8), Dolls & Plush (beginning September 5), Gifts, Collectibles & Novelty (beginning October 5), and Licensed Brands (beginning October 31). | More Information

NRF Says 2021 Holiday Sales Grew 14.1 Percent to Record $886.7 Billion 
Retail sales during 2021’s November-December holiday season grew 14.1 percent over 2020 to $886.7 billion, easily beating the National Retail Federation’s forecast and setting a new record despite challenges from inflation, supply chain disruptions and the ongoing pandemic, NRF said today. The number includes online and other non-store sales, which were up 11.3 percent at $218.9 billion. The numbers exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants to focus on core retail. | More Information


Toy Fair New York 2022 Cancelled
The Toy Association, producer of Toy Fair New York, the largest toy, play, and youth entertainment marketplace in the Western Hemisphere, has announced the cancellation of Toy Fair New York, originally set to take place, February 19 to 22, 2022 at the Javits Center in New York City. | More Information