Retail Partners Newsletter by Retail Merchants Association

Spring 2014

April is National Donate Life Month During the month of April—National Donate Life month—Retail Merchants Association and Donate Life Virginia have come together again to increase awareness of the need for organ and tissue donors. RMA’s program, Retailers4Life, invites members to get behind the cause and encourage new donor registrations. One person can potentially save 9 lives through organ and tissue donation! Additionally, this month includes National Wear Blue and Green

Day! On April 11, 2014, members supported organ sharing by wearing blue and green. The spirit of the month is further promoted through the annual Retailers4Life contest. With this tradition, RMA members decorate their stores with the blue and green campaign colors. In previous years, creative members utilized merchandise, personal stories, and visual props in the Retailers4Life Contest. Many members adorn their entire stores with blue and green displays! This year, we asked members participating in this fun initiative

to send in photos of their displays to enter for the chance to win the contest. Participant photos are being shared through RMA social media and e-communications. The winner of the competition will receive a $100 gift certificate to The Crossings Restaurant at the Westin Richmond and a Networking Lobby Table to promote their business at the May 2nd RMA First Friday Forum ($100 value)! If you would like to get your business involved in this competition next year, mark your calendar for April, 2015, and join us in celebrating National Donate Life Month.

In This Issue... 1

April is National Donate Life Month Good News Travels Fast

Letter to Members

Legislative Reception Recap

The RMA Scene

Good News Travels Fast Continued

Remembering Pat Patrick

VRF General Assembly Update Henrico Meals Tax

Welcome New Members!

10 Welcome New Members Continued 11 RMA Event Calendar

Good News Travels Fast... and Far! Want to make your news travel even faster and farther? RMA can help! One of the most popular member benefits is RMA’s posting of member news on our social media channels. In other words, we tweet, post, link and blog on your behalf. Social media now sits as the number one destination on the internet. It’s a place where everyone can

connect and build relationships. Here at RMA we have active social media presence on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and our own RMA Blog. We use these channels to share our news and that of our members. Our postings reach a wide audience of RMA members and continued on page 6

STAFF CORNER Dear RMA members,

April is designated as National Donate Life Month. Local and national campaigns elevate the importance of organ and tissue donation and thousands of additional donors sign up each April. The Retail Merchants Association and its member companies are partnering again this year with our Retailers4Life campaign, as we have done since 2008, with the Donate Life Partnership—which comprises United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS – with national headquarters in Richmond, VA), Donate Life America, LifeNet Health, and Old Dominion Eye Foundation. Our collective efforts increase awareness, encourage organ donation, and will save lives across the Commonwealth of Virginia and our nation. Organ donation and transplantation saves lives. One organ donor can save 9 lives, restore sight to two people and enhance the lives of 50 others. Eighteen Americans die each week waiting for a life-saving organ transplant that doesn’t arrive in time. Currently, more than 113,000 Americans are waiting for a life-saving transplant. RMA members offer their business locations as places where customers and employees can further their education about the importance of organ donation as well as sign up to become organ donors. There is no cost to participate and you don’t have to wait until you renew your driver’s license with DMV! RMA members have heard from individuals who understand the benefits of organ donation at both the March and April First Friday Forums. Retailers4Life information packets are available from RMA, tailored for our members. These complimentary information packets were assembled with the assistance of students and teachers representing the Henrico Public Schools Transition Program as part of both their learning and community outreach programs. These Retailers4Life information packets include posters, sign-up cards with return envelopes, FAQs, business cards with the website address, key chains, and more! Please contact me in regards to offering sign-up information to your employees and customers. RMA member participating locations are shown on the www.Retailers4Life.com web site. Preston Perrin Director of Logistics & Operations pperrin@retailmerchants.com | 804.662.5504

VISION STATEMENT

Creating vibrant retail communities together.

MISSION STATEMENT:

We help local retailers thrive.

CORE VALUES 1 We are loyal to our members, always building lasting relationships. 2 We are passionate entrepreneurial community leaders. 3 We act with honesty, integrity, accountability and professionalism. 4 We are innovators who drive change, creativity, collaboration and connectivity. 5 We expect excellence in ourselves and our work. 6 We immerse ourselves in the retail industry and our professions; and we share what we learn. 2 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Spring 2014

VIRGINIA RETAIL FEDERATION

2014 Virginia Retail Federation Legislative Reception This year’s VRF Legislative Reception was well attended by many Virginia Legislators and RMA members who mingled together at the Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown. Held on January 20, 2014, the reception’s bustling atmosphere was enlivened by a jazz band, delicious hors’

doeuvres, and complimentary beverages. Governor Terry McAuliffe greeted attendees and gave a short speech to the crowd, emphasizing his support for the success of Virginia retailers.

A special thank you to our sponsors: CAPITOL SPONSOR

Governor Terry McAuliffe addressing the audience at the 2014 VRF Legislative Reception

The Retail Partners Newsletter is published four times annually. Editorial Offices Retail Merchants Association 5101 Monument Ave Richmond, VA 23230 804.662.5518 Publisher Jenna Mosman jmosman@retailmerchants.com Editor Kate Fraser-Orr kfraserorr@retailmerchants.com Contributing Writers Mary Huffard Kegley Megan Way Nancy Thomas Preston Perrin Ad Sales Julie Hill - P: 804.673.5249 jchill@retailmerchants.com

HOST SPONSOR

ROTUNDA SPONSOR

BELL TOWER SPONSOR

FRIEND OF THE VRF PAC

David Bailey & Associates

Commonwealth Cleaners

SIGN SPONSOR

Franco’s Fine Clothier

SignScapes

Good Foods Grocery

PHOTOGRAPHY SPONSOR

Infotel

Robert Thomas Photography

Strange’s Florest

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Diana Kent (RMA) & Randy Bohn (Pedal Power Bicycles) First Friday Forum attendees networking before the program Raul Cantu (Nacho Mama’s) & Barry Moore (Haley Buick GMC) Dr. Lisa Freiman (VCU Institute for Contemporary Art) & Nancy Thomas (RMA) Mindy Messina (WSI Evolution Digital Marketing), Carolyn Clements (Ball Office Products) & Lindsey Barden (Rappaport Co.) “Connect It Up” at Center of the Universe Brewing Co. A joint venture between RMA and Richmond Region Tourism Ray Mattes (The Retail Alliance), Lt. Governor Ralph Northam & Nancy Thomas (RMA) Connect@ Custom Kitchens guests enjoying conversation and hors d’oeuvres Ashley Ray (Emergent Social Solutions), Tamera Wilkins Harris (Richmond Region Tourism) & Mary Lewis (All In One Tours & Receptive SVS)

10 Dr. Tara Dall from Health

Diagnostic Laboratory Inc. (Speaking at the February First Friday Forum)

11 Lisa Schauffner (UNOS) 12 Alison White (UPS) & Darryl Flick (O’Virginia)

13 Jon Zayicek (Sera-Brynn), Susan Franck & John Brightly (Assura Inc.)

4 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Spring 2014

2012 DISTINGUISHED RETAILER OF THE THE YEAR AWARD RMACEREMONY SCENE 1

GOOD NEWS...Continued from page 1

the greater Richmond community. Through RMA’s combined social media efforts, news can reach over 30,000 people in any given month! This benefit is included in your RMA membership at no extra cost! RMA is here to champion the success of local retailers, and our social media efforts are just another outlet to help. Megan Way, RMA’s Marketing & Communications Assistant, works directly with members in helping them spread their news. Let Megan help share your news: Tell the community about a new member joining your team, an in-store sale, an anniversary, a new product line.… You name it! Megan will use her keyboard as a megaphone to propel your news and help you reach a broader audience.

How can you take advantage of this? It’s easy. Send your news and pictures to Megan Way to mway@ retailmerchants.com or call her at 804.288.8389.

Take advantage of exclusive memberonly benefits: special pricing discounts and access to free consultations with RMA Endorsed Vendors

Be sure you’re connected: RMA Facebook, Twitter, Blog, LinkedIn

Kit Kidd

Think.Shop.Buy.Local Facebook, Twitter

804.218.4679

kkidd@sfreedman.com

RVA ShopTalk Facebook, Twitter Virginia Retail Federation Facebook, Twitter

Joe Labella 804.355.3430

jlabella@dominionpayroll.com

John Scott 804.290.1122 Toll free 855.677.6580

john.scott@experienthealth.com

Doris Ann Kane 804.649.6291

dkane@timesdispatch.com

Allison White 804.743.8401

awwhite@ups.com

Scott Johnston 804.836.6798

scott.johnston@worldpay.us 6 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Spring 2014

RMA IN RVA REMEMBERING PAT PATRICK The Richmond community lost a good friend and business man on February 20, 2014. Pat Patrick, founder of the Patrick Auto Group and longtime RMA member lived “knee-deep in grace” as his beautiful obituary stated. Retail Merchants was the beneficiary of that grace on multiple levels. Patrick Auto Group became a member of RMA in 1964 and Pat joined the board of directors in 1993, chairing the Finance Committee for many years. He was named The Distinguished Retailer of the Year in 2007. The list of awards and accolades goes on and on, but what Pat gave to this community was his untiring commitment of his time, resources and talent. His greatest strength was helping other business people with the everyday challenges of running a business, and that was not limited to the car industry. Pat’s keen business sense, his financial acumen, and of course, his wonderful sense of humor were appreciated by many who sought his confidence and good guidance. As Phyllis Patrick, his wife of 48 years said, “Pat was comfortable with all walks of people and respected everyone.”

You would think being on the cover of Time Magazine as Quality Dealer of the Year in 2004 would make him overly confident, but it had just the opposite effect. Pat, in his special way, showed the Richmond community what mattered were the gifts he felt he was given; friends, family and a great life. The members and staff of RMA were blessed to have had Pat Patrick in their lives. The Patrick Auto Group goes on with the leadership of Pat’s two sons, Michael Patrick, of Mechanicsville who runs the Patrick Buick GMC, and Trey Patrick of Glen Allen who operates the KIA dealership. In addition to his wife, Phyllis, and his sons, Pat is also survived by his daughter, Stacey Patrick Giles of Mechanicsville, and seven grandchildren. We will continue to hold Pat and his family in our hearts and count ourselves lucky to have called him “Friend.”

Tenant • Landlord Commercial Real Estate Representation

Virginia Market Richmond I Charlottesville I Roanoke Lynchburg I Hampton Roads

How Can We Work Together?

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VIRGINIA RETAIL FEDERATION 2014 Virginia General Assembly Update

The 2014 Virginia General Assembly resulted in 2888 pieces of legislation being introduced. The Virginia Retail Federation (VRF), represented by Mary Huffard Kegley and Kate Baker, was present for the entirety to share your retail business message with decisionmakers. VRF advocates in partnership with Retail Merchants Association and Retail Alliance to represent the business interests of the retail industry at the local, State, and Federal levels of government. The 2014 Session was eventful, welcoming a newly-elected Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Cabinet officials. The Commonwealth’s biennial budget dominated the Session’s considerations. As of press time for Retail Partners, the budget is not yet finalized, and the annual “Veto/Reconvened Session” is scheduled April 23, 2014. A large part of the ongoing budget conversation includes Governor McAuliffe’s proposal to include “Marketplace Virginia/Closing the Coverage Gap” into the final budget. As of the Session’s adjournment on March 8, 2014, “Marketplace Virginia,” was included in the Senate’s budget proposal but not in the House of Delegates’ budget proposal.

Many issues were introduced which could impact the retail business, and VRF was present to let legislators know how their proposals affect your ability to successfully operate a business, support your employees, and contribute to your community. Please remember to subscribe to VRF’s weekly legislative updates “The Retail Advocate” at www.virginiaretailfederation.com. A final recap of this year’s General Assembly activities will be provided following the “Veto/Reconvened Session” scheduled April 23, 2014. A Sample of 2014’s Retail Related Legislative issues: • Maintaining the current felony larceny threshold at $200 • Opposing a consumer tax on plastic and paper bags • Supporting a tax restructure plan to eliminate the BPOL, Machinery and Tools, and Merchants’ and Capital local taxes • Supporting patent reform • Monitoring regulations for alcoholic beverage control • Workers Compensation regulations

For additional VRF information, contact: Mary Huffard Kegley mhkegley@virginiaretailfederation.com 804.662.5505 Kate Baker kbaker@virginiaretailfederation.com 757.455.9305 2014 HENRICO MEALS TAX EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2014 Henrico County voters approved a meals tax referendum during the November, 2013, election, which will become effective June 1, 2014. Henrico County businesses that serve prepared meals will be required to collect the meals tax beginning June 1. The County’s Department of Finance prepared a package of information educating businesses of what items are taxable, and what items are not taxable, as well as guidelines, forms for registration, and a schedule of training sessions. The County’s website for information is: http://www.co.henrico.va.us/ finance/meals-tax-information/ The County’s contact information is: Susan Layne 804.501.7354 Steve Klos 804.501.7329 8 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Spring 2014

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS New Members at the January First Friday Forum Back row, left to right: Michael Hughes (Holiday Barn Pet Resorts), Matthew Thompson (Morgan Marrow Company), Will Martin (Essex Bank) & Chester Gilmore (Essex Bank) Front Row, left to right: Martha Prideaux & Tina Pack (Holiday Barn Pet Resort), Nichole Andrews & Robin White (Essex Bank)

New Members at the February First Friday Forum Back row, left to right: Fernando Winnagan (American Tap Room), Susan Franck (Assura, Inc.), Warren Yeager (WSI Evolution Digital Marketing), Randy Bohn (Pedal Power Bicycles), Landon Combs (Regus) & Tolson Musick (Carri Collection) Front Row, left to right: Mindy Messina (WSI Evolution Digital Marketing), Adrienne Hal, Alisa Dick, Brittany Lane & Kathy Williams (AAA), Terri Tatum (Whispers of Time Consignment), Brittnie Ridgway (Regus) & Lynette Musick (Carri Collection) New Members at the March First Friday Forum Back row, left to right: Lyndon Evans (Square One Screening LLC), Jeb Hockman & Admiral John Hekman (Virginia War Memorial Foundation) & Jay Brimmer (Sir Speedy Printing & Marketing) Middle row: Cherika Ruffin (RideFinders) Front row, left to right: Von Tisdale (RideFinders), Nakita Rowell-Stevens (Tech24), Bonita Comer (Onyx Security)

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS RMA’s Newest Members AAA Mid-Atlantic

Essex Bank

RideFinders

Tech 24

Acorn Sales, Inc.

Fleet Feet Sports

Royal Chevrolet

Tom Leonard’s Farmers Market, LLC

Keller Williams Realty

RSVP Home and Living Magazine

Appliances on Lakeside Assura, Inc.

Morrissey’s Catering

Big Al’s Sports Bar & Grill New Way Fitness C&F Bank Onyx Security Carri Collection Center of the Universe Brewing Company

OpenGate Marketing Communications Pedal Power Bicycles

Deep Run Roadhouse

Sera-Brynn Sir Speedy Printing and Marketing Spirited Art Richmond Square One Screening Stephen Gould Corporation

Regus

10 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Spring 2014

University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies Virginia Eye Institute Virginia War Memorial Foundation FPO Whispers of Time WSI Evolution Digital Marketing

Member Power Hour You’re invited to come in for coffee, snacks, good conversation, new connections, and an overview of RMA. This is a great opportunity to see and learn how your membership can help improve your business, its profitability, and save money. You will also see how to take full advantage of many other RMA benefits and services. And of course, there will be door prizes.

April 25

PCIComplianceTraining Come learn how to protect your business from data breaches and find out how to ensure that your business is Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliant. Representatives from WorldPay, an RMA endorsed vendor, will lead this FREE training event for RMA members.

May 2

FirstFridayForum We will be joined by Matt Thornhill Founder & President of Boomer Project & GenerationsMatter. Matt will talk about how to recruit, manage and train your newest workers— Millenials. Come early and network with other attendees before sitting down for breakfast and hearing the program.

May 13

Event Title Sponsor

Connect@ BedCrafters by Michelle Connect@ Series Sponsors

Come connect with fellow RMA members at the signature Connect@ networking event to be held at BedCrafters by Michelle. Enjoy good company and great fare at this Happy Hour event.

June 6

First Friday Forum Come early and network with fellow members and guests. Then sit down and enjoy a delicious breakfast while listening to the program. You may want to bring a notepad and a pen, too!

June 12

Event Title Sponsor

Member Appreciation Picnic and VRF Auction We want to show our members our appreciation for all they do for us, so we’re throwing a picnic! Come out for all-American fare and beverages. This free family fun event will have activities for the kids and a silent auction, benefiting the VRF Political Action Committee.

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID RICHMOND, VA PERMIT #2254 Retail Merchants Association | 5101 Monument Avenue | Richmond, VA 23230 Phone (804) 662-5500 | Toll free (866) 750-2532 | www.RetailMerchants.com Facebook.com/RetailMerchants Facebook.com/RVAShopTalk Facebook.com/ThinkShopBuyLocal Facebook.com/VirginiaRetailFederation Twitter.com/RetailMerchants Twitter.com/RVAShopTalk Twitter.com/ShopLocalRVA Twitter.com/VARetailFed Designed by:

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