Fall 2014
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Virginia Retail Federation, LLC
Partnering for Retail Advocacy
Honoring Our First Responders
Just in! The RMA Member Survey Results The results are in! The Retail Merchants Association (RMA) Member Survey proved to be tremendously informative. It served as a useful tool for understanding our members’ demographics, needs and priorities.
We would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to all of you who took the time to complete the survey. Below are some of the highlights from the results:
We received 324 survey responses from individuals belonging to 230 RMA member companies. In fact, over 40% of RMA member companies were represented in the survey results. Additionally the responses were proportionate to the overall composition of RMA memberships: 40% of all RMA Retailers and 43% of all RMA Retail Partners.
Networking was the number one reason people join RMA (43%), followed by RMA’s programs/ offerings and being associated with a great organization, which tied at 10% each.
In This Issue... 1
Member Survey Results
2 Letter to Members 3 RMA Members Who Made the Inc. 5000 List 4 The RMA Scene 6 RMA Endorsed Vendors 7 VRF Advocacy Update 8 Nominations are in for the 2014 Distinguished Retailer
Valor Award’s Silver Anniversary
9 New RMA Member List
Welcome New Members!
10 Think. Shop. Buy. Local® Saturday 11 RMA Event Calendar
Who’s in your Network?
We’ll go to the mat for you!
Congratulations to Rosalie Drake of CW Richmond. She was the winner of the $250 gift certificate drawing in which all survey respondents were entered.
Members appreciate the legislative advocacy efforts made on their behalf. 64% think RMA effectively represents retailers to local, State and A significant percentage of members Federal levels. is unaware of many of RMA’s membership benefits. We want to A wise investment: help our members take advantage of 66% of survey respondents agree: these offerings! An RMA membership is a valuable investment in their business. Even A case for more traffic: more (78%) would recommend RMA 69% of the members feel the membership to another business. Think. Shop. Buy. Local® campaign effectively promotes shopping locally. Back to school: However, the number one business Members are interested in RMA’s need with which members would like training and education programs. help is in increasing customer traffic Here are the most requested topics: and business visibility. 1. Human Resource issues and RMA staff and Board members will Employee Training (20%) continue to study the survey responses and find ways to meet member needs 2. Social Media (16%) and priorities. Look for new initiatives and programs in the coming months! 3. Marketing (13%) Getting the word out: RMA will work to improve its communication of member benefits.
In the meantime, you’ll find a complete breakdown of the survey results on the RMA website.
STAFF CORNER On your mark. Get set. Go! We’re heading into the busiest season of the retail year! And here at RMA, we are ready to help you make the most of it. See page 10 for news on this year’s Think. Shop. Buy. Local® Saturday. And don’t forget to take advantage of the RMA social media platforms and the RVA ShopTalk website to promote your holiday events and news. We have successfully transitioned to a new software platform utilizing technology that helps us better engage with you. This platform gives us real time information which in turn gives you, our member, easy access to event registration, RMA information and resources. As we move from the holiday season to the New Year, our RMA staff will be busy developing strategies to help meet member needs identified through the Member Survey. Over 200 Retail Merchants member companies participated in the survey. Thanks to all of you who completed the survey; we appreciate the time you took to provide us feedback. As we take in all the valuable feedback you provided us, we are committed to using this information to better serve you. After all, that’s why we are here. In 2015, you’ll see the RMA team putting into action what we learned from the survey. We are committed to our Mission: We help local retailers thrive. And there is no doubt that this team is here to serve our members. Thank you for your membership, your commitment to Retail Merchants Association and to our local RVA community. Happy Holidays everyone!
Nancy C. Thomas President/CEO
Core Values
Vision
Creating vibrant retail communities, together
We are committed to our members and the retail industry. We are passionate about our community. We are open,
honest and direct communicators.
We are professional and accountable.
Mission
We are collaborators who promote connectivity, change and creativity.
We help local retailers thrive.
We are a resource for our members. We expect
excellence in ourselves and in our work.
2 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Fall 2014
MEMBER BENEFITS Kudos to Our Members Who Made the 2014 Inc. 5000 list! We’re thrilled that three RMA member businesses made Inc. Magazine’s 2014 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing, privately-owned companies in the U.S.!
Dominion Payroll Services (DPS) also made the “Honor Roll” as a five-time Inc. 5000 Honoree. This year they ranked #3686 and showed a 3-year growth of 87%, adding 23 new jobs.
Congratulations to our three members, the Barber Martin Agency, Dominion Payroll Services and NetSearch Direct, for receiving this recognition!
DPS was founded in 2002 and is an RMA Endorsed Vendor. It provides complete outsourcing services such as payroll processing, complete HR services, credit card processing and more.
Here are the numbers: Barber Martin Agency made the “Honor Roll” as a five-time Inc. 5000 Honoree. For 2014, they ranked #4086 with a three year growth of 72%, adding 9 new jobs. Barber Martin Agency was founded in 1989 and is a full-service retail advertising agency specializing in assisting retail chains with marketing and brand development.
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 Nancy Thomas Ad Sales Julie Hill - 804.673.5249 jchill@retailmerchants.com © 2014 Retail Merchants Association, Richmond VA. All rights reserved.
NetSearch Direct ranked #4687 and added eight new jobs within the past three years. NetSearch Direct is a full-service digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, pay-per-click advertising and web design services. RMA hopes these honorees, along with all RMA member companies, continue to prosper and excel in their fields!
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Ricky Dennis (Arena Racing), Dana Buerkley (Bizport) & Craig Ellwanger (Genesis Electrical Services) at the September First Friday Forum 2 Dennis Bickmeir (Richmond International Raceway) & Mike Helton (NASCAR) at the September First Friday Forum 3 Toni Pinto, Nicole Boughan, Cam Johnson & Jack Stinnett (Doubletree By Hilton - Richmond Downtown) at Connect@ Nacho Mama’s Bar & Grill 4 Guests at Connect@ DeFazio’s Catering 5 Attendees connecting at the September First Friday Forum 6 Nancy Thomas (RMA) addressing the audience at the September First Friday Forum 7 Kim Brundage (Kim Brundage Photography) & Nhat Pham (SUCCESSWERKS) at the September First Friday Forum 8 RMA visiting Southern Season for its Grand Opening 9 RMA visiting Pecan Jack’s Grand Opening in the Omni Store in Schockoe Slip 10 Anne-Stuart Teter & Megan Way (RMA) at the September First Friday Forum 11 Todd Janssen (The Paxton Companies), John Pratt & Anthony Villano (Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches) at the September First Friday Forum 12 Daphne Walker (Junior Achievement of Central Virginia) & Joe Winston (TechnoMarketing) at the September First Friday Forum 13 Members engaging at Connect@ Nacho Mama’s Bar & Grill 14 Mary Jo Elliott (Nacho Mama’s) & Len East (RMA) 15 Ann Butler & Justin Thomas (Source Kitchen Studios & Market) 16 RMA celebrates Janet Brown Interiors 20th Anniversary 17 Tracy Pendleton (C&F Bank) & Carolyn Clements (Ball Office Products) at the September First Friday Forum 18 Hope Gillespie (The Richmond Raiders), Raul Cantu (Nacho Mama’s), Julie Hill (RMA) & Elaine Peele (EVB) at Connect@ Nacho Mama’s Bar & Grill 19 Guests enjoying tasty bites at Connect@ DeFazio’s Catering 20 Scott Bergman (Haunts of Richmond), Sherry Minson & Mary Warren (RMA) 21 Guests making new connections at Connect@ Nacho Mama’s Bar & Grill
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4 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Fall 2014
2012 DISTINGUISHED RETAILER OF THETHE YEAR RMA AWARD CEREMONY SCENE 10
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RMA Endorsed Vendors
Take advantage of this free member-only benefit. RMA’s Endorsed Vendors offer free consultations and reduced pricing.
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6 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Fall 2014
THE VIRGINIA RETAIL FEDERATION Advocacy Update: E-Fairness, the 2015 Virginia General Assembly & Other News Items Summer 2014 was a very busy time for the Virginia Retail Federation (VRF) sharing the retail message with decision-makers at the local, state, and federal levels. Several issues tracked during the 2014 Virginia General Assembly Session were finalized over this past summer. The Senate bill which allows bakeries to provide champagne and wine for special events at their bakeries was signed by Governor McAuliffe at Carytown Cupcakes (see photo to the right). The Senate and House bills addressing the issue of questionable actions by patent “trollers” was signed by the Governor. It allows the Attorney General to pursue such trollers who threaten retailers with litigation if they refuse to pay for use of the alleged patent. On the Federal level, several VRF, RMA and Retail Alliance (RA) members made the trip to Washington, D.C. to encourage action on the E-Fairness/Marketplace Fairness issue. E-Fairness remains an important focus for VRF, in an effort to level the playing field between brick and mortar retailers and online/ internet retailers regarding the collection and remittance of state sales tax. Members met with most of Virginia’s Congressional delegation to
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, visits RMA member, Carytown Cupcakes, after signing a bill allowing bakeries to serve wine and champagne for special events.
share this message and let them know reports from the 2015 General just how the online retailers have the Assembly Session. advantage since most do not collect VRF anticipates many of the issues sales tax. will return from the 2014 General The 2015 Virginia General Assembly Assembly Session, with an emphasis Session is right around the corner. on health care and ethics reform. Important dates for retailers to Save the date for VRF’s Annual remember include: Legislative Reception, Monday, January 14, 2015 – General Assembly January 19, 2015, 5:30-7:30pm at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown convenes Richmond. It provides an excellent February 10, 2015 – “Crossover” when opportunity to visit with legislators and each house must complete action on share the VRF retail message. its own legislation and send it to the Questions? Contact Mary Huffard opposite chamber for consideration Kegley at .804.662.5505 or February 28, 2015 – Adjournment mhkegley@virginiaretailfederation.com. April 8, 2015 – “Reconvened” Session when the legislature acts upon the Governor’s proposed amendments and vetoes Be sure to visit the VRF website, www.virginiaretailfederation.com and register to receive weekly email
Members Support E-Fairness/Internet Sales Tax E-Fairness/Internet Sales Tax remains a critical issue for VRF. RMA and RA members have provided valuable and effective messages through the media, as well as during visits with Congressional representatives. E-Fairness/ Internet Sales Tax legislation provides the opportunity for states to implement sales tax collection for internet sales. The tax reporting requirement is already in place. It is NOT a new tax, although, the majority of consumers do not report it.
Detailed information about E-Fairness/Internet Sales Tax legislation is available on the Stand With Main Street website: www.standwithmainstreet.com You can also read what RMA and RA members have published about E-Fairness. These links are available on the VRF website: www.virginiaretailfederation.com
Nominations for 2014 Distinguished Retailer RMA received 16 nominations for the 2014 Distinguished Retailer of the Year Award! The three finalists will be announced at Connect@ Franco’s Fine Clothier on October 29. We’ll reveal the winner at the December 5 Distinguished Retailer of the Year Award and Holiday Celebration!
Ronnie Adolf, Adolf Jewelers
David Taylor, Libbie Market
Bill Agee, Agee’s Bicycles
Freddy Siewers III, Siewers Lumber & Millwork
Greg Bulkley, Bass Pro Shops Annette Lindsay and Michelle Brumfield, BedCrafters by Michelle Jennifer Kirby, Crossroads Art Center
Scott Zeigler, Spoonfed Tom Leonard, Tom Leonard’s Farmers Market
Jeff Wells, Fleet Feet Sports
Gillian Field and Hunter Robinson, Union Market
Kevin Reardon, Franco’s Fine Clothier
Mac McClanahan, Walgreen’s
Charles Layman, Goodwill Industries
Meredith and Bruce Bass, Wild Birds Unlimited
Barry Moore, Haley Buick GMC
The Valor Award’s Silver Anniversary th
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Retail Merchants Association (RMA) is ramping up for the Silver Anniversary of the Annual Valor Awards and Ceremony! This Honoring Our First Responders RMA signature event celebrates the courageous acts of our region’s First Responders. November 7, 2014 will mark the 25th Annual Valor Awards where area First Responders are recognized and honored for their personal sacrifice and dedication to protecting our community. Recipients of this award include Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters and Emergency Services Personnel who have performed outstanding acts of courage, putting themselves at personal risk and injury. Area Law Enforcement and Fire Chiefs will present the awards. So, will you be at the 25th Annual Valor Awards on November 7? For more information or to register online, visit www.retailmerchants.com. If you have questions about this event, contact Len East at len@retailmerchants.com. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Julie Hill at jchill@ retailmerchants.com.
8 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Fall 2014
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Check out who’s joined since the last Retail Partners issue: 3Degrees Good Feet Actuarial Consulting Group Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc. Bizport HRichNetworks Bremo Pharmacies Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches C.L. Stells Painting Junior Achievement of Central Virginia Christian’s Pizza Kent Communications Coalfield Station Antiques Kim Brundage Photography Dominion Voice and Data Lakeside Business Association Doubletree By Hilton Richmond Airport Rodan + Fields Einstein Bros. Bagels RVA Trolley Football Heaven Sara Campbell, LTD Genesis Electrical Services, Inc. Science Museum Of Virginia Girl Scouts of the Segway Of Richmond Commonwealth of Virginia
New Members at the September First Friday Forum
Silky Paws Mobile Grooming Smart-Fixit SONA Bank Source Kitchen Studios & Market Southpark Mall Stemmle Plumbing Repair Inc Summit Media Taylor Made for You, Inc. UVest Energy Services VCU Office of Continuing and Professional Education W. Hirsch Oriental Rugs WebStrategies Inc.
Event Title Sponsor
New Member Sponsor
Back row, left to right: Viola Baskerville (Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia), Tim & Ronni Wyatt (Pecan Jacks), Justin Thomas (Source Kitchen Studios & Market), Ernest Bataille (Ethos Security), Ann Butler (Source Kitchen Studios & Market, James Lee (Ethos Security), Janice Kaplan (Town of Ashland), Craig Ellwanger (Genesis Electrical Services, Inc.), Steve Smith (Dominion Voice & Data), Todd Janssen (The Paxton Companies), Grace Festa (Greater Richmond Partnership), Edin Cuskovic (Actuarial Consulting Group), John Pratt (Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches), Chad Tester (Dominion Voice & Data), Tom Kent (Kent Communications), Glenn Childress (Bizport), Anthony Villano (Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches), Chantelle Bradley (Summit Media), Cordell Briggs (Smart Fixit) Front Row, left to right: Kristin Melton (Web Strategies, Inc.), Collen Quinn (Locke & Quinn), Cyncthia Steele (Cynthia Steele), Mary Paston Livergood (The Paxton Companies), Helena Richardson (HRichNetworks), Sarah Whiting (St. John’s Church Foundation), Daphne Walker & Whitney Cherry (Junior Achievement of Central VA), Dana Buerkley (Bizport), Sue Young (Half Way House Restaurant) & Laura Hoffman (Rodan + Fields)
Big News for Think. Shop. Buy. Local® Saturday: November 29, 2014! Think. Shop. Buy. Local® (TSBL) Saturday is back for its fourth year. Retail Merchants Association began TSBL Saturday in 2011 to encourage shoppers to buy from local retailers during the holiday season, the retail industry’s busiest time of the year.
impact of both initiatives while driving home the message to get out and shop locally! On Saturday, November 29 shoppers are encouraged to visit participating retail stores to enter for a chance to win gift cards provided by Retail Merchants Association. We’ll be promoting TSBL Saturday, the benefits of shopping locally and the chance to win through various media outlets spanning the holiday season.
ThinkShopBuyLocal.com
This year, the big news is that RMA will move TSBL Saturday to the same day as American Express Small Business Saturday (SBS) November 29, 2014. What prompted this change? Quite simply… You did! Suggestions and feedback from participating RMA members advocated for having these shopping events on the same day. By doing so, we eliminate any potential confusion for the consumers AND we maximize the
You won’t want to miss out, so sign up to participate today! For questions or to sign up for Think. Shop. Buy. Local Saturday, contact Diana Kent at 804.726.5043 or dkent@retailmerchants.com.
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cszworldwide.com 10 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com |Fall 2014
RMA EVENTS CALENDAR 29 Think. Shop. Buy. Local® Saturday
OCTOBER
DECEMBER
21 Member Power Hour 29 Connect@ Franco’s Fine Clothier
5 2014 Distinguished Retailer of the Year & Holiday Celebration
Series Sponsors
Title Sponsor
JANUARY
NOVEMBER 7 25th Annual Valor Awards & Ceremony Title Sponsors
14 RMA Recycles Day
REGISTER TODAY! To register for events online, visit: www.retailmerchants.com
OR Contact Len East at len@retailmerchants.com
or 804.359.1709
9 First Friday Forum Luncheon Title Sponsor
®
19 VRF Legislative Reception
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
Mailed by:
Printed by:
Member Referrals Do you know a great potential RMA member? Refer them to our Member Relations team!
Mary Warren 804.272.3915 mwarren@retailmerchants.com
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Sherry Minson 804.358.1216 sminson@retailmerchants.com
Cassie Omohundro Sassy Bee, Midlothian
Carol Consalvi Massage Therapy
Hair Studio 21
Pedestal
Colonial Heights Veterinary Hospital
Cross Brothers Grocery
Matthews Construction Company, Inc.
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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Carol Consalvi, Carol Consalvi Massage Therapy, White Stone | Connie Ditto, Hair Studio 21, Richmond | Pam Diehl, Pedestal, Kilmarnock | Dr. Margaret Metry, Colonial Heights Veterinary Hospital, Colonial Heights | Cathy Waldrop, Cross Brothers Grocery, Ashland | Marlene Smith, Matthews Construction Company, Inc., Richmond | Lisa Nash, Bract Retaining Walls & Excavating, LLC, Richmond | Jill White, Dairy Barn, Burgess | Sun Hong, Sun's Cafe, Quinton