Winter 2015
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Virginia Retail Federation, LLC
for going above and beyond...
Partnering for Retail Advocacy
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2014 Distinguished Retailer of the Year! In 2013, Haley Buick GMC was awarded the Chesterfield County Impact Award.
Retail Merchants Association (RMA) announced Barry Moore, General Manager of Haley Buick GMC, as the 2014 Distinguished Retailer of the Year!
The Distinguished Retailer of the Year Award has been given by Retail Merchants Association since 1966. It was created to recognize a member of Richmond’s retail business community who is a proven leader in his or her business and is actively involved in community endeavors without regard to personal benefit.
Barry has an extraordinary work ethic and fosters a unique company culture which promotes giving back to the community. Since Barry joined Haley Buick GMC in 1999 the dealership has experienced tremendous business and profit growth every year since. It is because of Haley’s business success that Barry has been able to be so involved in the community. He is a firm believer that it is the business
In This Issue... 1
2014 Distinguished Retailer
2 Staff Corner 3 The New Think. Shop. Buy. Local Website 4 The RMA Scene 6 25th Annual Valor Awards 8 Welcome New Members 9 Virginia Retail Federation Legislative Update 10 Think. Shop. Buy. Local. Saturday 11 RMA Calendar of Events Welcome New RMA Board Members
Mary Lou & Barry Moore, General Manager of Haley Buick GMC wins 2014 Distinguished Retailer of the Year!
leader’s obligation to give back. Barry puts a lot of time and effort into being involved with non-profits, attending functions and serving on committees. Barry has contributed to or been involved with many non-profits, including The Arthritis Foundation, The Healing Place, Kingdom Life Ministries, The Special Olympics Truck Convoy, Fetch a Cure and the American Cancer Society, for which he served as the 2013 Honorary Chairperson for the Cure by Design event. As a transplant from New Jersey, Barry had to develop a new network of relationships both inside and outside of the car business. These relationships grew as people got to know him for his hard work, honesty and innovative ideas.
It is an honor to be nominated for this prestigious award, and an even greater distinction to be one of the award finalists. All four of this year’s finalists were recognized at the December 5th celebration. In addition to Barry, this year’s finalists included Ronnie Adolf, President of Adolf Jewelers, and Michelle Brumfield and Annette Lindsey, co-owners of BedCrafters by Michelle. The finalists were featured in a short video highlighting their retail careers and engagement with the community. A special thank you to SUCCESSWERKS for sponsoring and producing the finalist videos! Congratulations to all of the nominees, the finalists and, of course, to Barry!
STAFF CORNER Happy New Year! We here at RMA hope you wrapped up 2014 with a bang and that your holiday season was filled with shoppers. That was our intent as we flooded the local market throughout the holidays with TV spots, social media campaigns, e-communications and digital, print and mobile advertisements - all encouraging shoppers to Think. Buy. Shop. Local® (TSBL). We hope you noticed these efforts and that you benefitted from them. These are examples of how we are working to best serve our members. In the 2014 RMA Members Survey, you told us that driving customers to your stores was a high priority. We are taking that to heart and putting our energies into doing just that! And the timing couldn’t be better. This year marks the 5th anniversary of the Think. Shop. Buy. Local movement. We’ll be celebrating this milestone by increasing our efforts to educate and incent our community to shop locally. Actually, we’ve already started! In addition to the increased TSBL Saturday promotional efforts, we’ve revamped the TSBL website to be more engaging to consumers and easier for members to navigate and utilize. (see page 3 for details). In 2015, we’ll be implementing multiple campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of shopping locally and to create opportunities for RMA members to engage with consumers. The first of these initiatives will take place the week of Valentine’s Day. Keep an eye on future RMA Happenings e-newsletters for more details on upcoming TSBL plans. Thank you for being members of RMA and for partnering with us in the effort to build the commitment to Think. Shop. Buy. Local! Jenna Mosman Project Manager
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 | Winter 2015
THINK. SHOP. BUY. LOCAL The New Think. Shop. Buy. Local Website A case when one site is better than two!
Have you been to the Think. Shop. Buy. Local® (TSBL) website lately? It’s a whole new platform! We’ve combined the Think. Shop. Buy. Local website and the RVA ShopTalk website to provide a one-stop shopping (pun intended!) site for consumers. This is the place to go to learn about retail events, deals and sales offered by RMA members. The new site leverages the brand recognition of the TSBL campaign with the retail event listings previously featured on the RVA ShopTalk site. The result is a dynamic platform allowing you to tell consumers about your business’s special events, sales, discounts and deals. On the new site, you’ll find • A monthly listing of RVAShopTalk events, now in an easy-to-read calendar format. The calendar lists upcoming retail events and allows the reader to click through to individual event pages with more information and details. This information is then fed to the TSBL Facebook page and bi-weekly RVA ShopTalk e-communications which reach a growing list of over 5,000 consumers. • A Local Deals feed – where you can post special discounts, sales and deals in a 250 word feed that not only displays on the website – but also feeds the Twitter handle @shoplocalRVA. • A directory of all RMA members. • Instructions for members on how to post an RVA ShopTalk event or share a Local Deal. So start taking advantage of this new and improved platform. Let this RMA resource help you promote your news, sales and events! Visit www.thinkshopbuylocal.com today!
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 Diana Kent Jenna Mosman Ad Sales Julie Hill - 804.673.5249 jchill@retailmerchants.com © 2015 Retail Merchants Association, Richmond VA. All rights reserved.
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The Virginia Commonwealth University R.A.M.ifications A Capella group sings at the 2014 Distinguished Retailer Awards 2 The RMA Staff at the 25th Annual Valor Awards. Back row: Megan Way, Mary Warren, Kate FraserOrr, Anne-Stuart Teter, Julie Hill, Len East, Nancy Thomas & Mary Huffard Kegley. Front row: Sherry Minson, Diana Kent, Preston Perrin, Kathy Robbins & Jenna Mosman 3 Gary Weiner (Saxon Shoes), Ronnie Adolf (Adolf Jewelers) & Elaine Peek (EVB) at Connect@ Franco’s Fine Clothier 4 Past Distinguished Retailers at the 2014 Distinguished Retailer Awards 5 Kim Brundage (Kim Brundage Photography) & Jenni Kirby (Crossroads Art Center) at the 2014 Distinguished Retailer Awards 6 Barry Moore (Haley Buick GMC), David & Richard Hendrick (Custom Kitchens) at the 2014 Distinguished Retailer Awards 7 Corbus Van Der Watt (Transworld Business Advisors), Julie Hill (RMA) & Jeff Marks (Promotional Considerations) at the Economic Forecast 8 Joe & Leslie Crowly (Premium Ed) at the 2014 Distinguished Retailer Awards 9 RMA celebrates Sara Campbell’s grand opening 10 Bronze Valor Award recipients at the 25th Annual Valor Awards 11 Petra & Gary Glover (Puritan Cleaners) & Nancy Thomas (RMA) at Connect@ Franco’s Fine Clothier 12 Kevin Reardon (Franco’s Fine Clothier), Bruce Bass (Wild Birds Unlimited), Ronnie Adolf (Adolf Jewelers), James Hatcher (Pleasants Hardware), Michelle Brumfield & Annette Lindsey (BedCrafters by Michelle), Jenni Kirby (Crossroads Art Center) & Tom Leonard (Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market) at Connect@ Franco’s Fine Clothier 13 Bill & Donna Selden (C.P. Dean), Len East (RMA) & Meg Downs (Custom Kitchens) at Connect@ Franco’s Fine Clothier 14 Janice Reynolds & Pat Waldron (Li’l Shoppe of Cards) at the 2014 Distinguished Retailer Awards 15 Award Recipient at the 25th Annual Valor Awards 16 Past Valor Award recipients come forward to receive a special Valor Award coin at the 25th Annual Valor Awards 17 Bobby & Jayne Ukrop at the 25th Annual Valor Awards 18 Award recipients at the 25th Annual Valor Awards
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4 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Winter 2015
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SILVER ANNIVERSARY
Imagine an event so inspiring, it leaves over 700 people feeling this way. That’s exactly what transpired on November 7, 2014, at the 25th Anniversary of the Valor Awards when the community came together to recognize first responders for their acts of courage and self-sacrifice. Valor Awards are presented annually by Retail Merchants Association. This year’s ceremony presented Bronze Awards to 19 honorees, with several survivors coming forth to thank their rescuers in person. The ceremony also included a number of special elements in recognition of the Awards Silver Anniversary. All Valor recipients from the past 25 years were invited to this year’s ceremony, with nearly 100 able to attend. A memorable Valor Awards tribute video, produced and sponsored by BES Studios, was played for attendees. The film featured past honorees, victims, family members and
ND. HONORIN O EY
- Bill Selden, President of C.P. Dean and longtime Valor Awards Supporter
HO HAVE G SW ER
“When I leave the Valor Awards each year, I am so inspired to do good… When you are in that room, with the energy around you, you just can’t help walking out going ‘I need to do something good also’.”
G
ST RESPON D FIR
BOVE AND EA B ON
Valor Awards 25th Anniversary
Valor Awards supporters who gave accounts of the importance of honoring our First Responders and the significance of the Valor Awards. (This video can be viewed on the Valor Awards page of the RMA website). At the end of the program, the past and present Valor honorees and the Law enforcement, Fire and EMS Chiefs were asked to come forward to receive a customized Valor Awards coin. These coins signify recognition for special achievements and are often exchanged as symbols of comradery and respect. The ceremony ended with a room of 700+ attendees literally surrounded by honored men and women and a level of gratitude that was palpable. If you came, thank you. With this much inspiration, we know the Valor Awards attendance will flourish for years to come.
Tenant Tenant •• Landlord Landlord Commercial Commercial Real Real Estate Estate Representation Representation
Virginia Virginia Market Market Richmond Richmond II Charlottesville Charlottesville II Roanoke Roanoke Lynchburg Lynchburg II Hampton Hampton Roads Roads
How How Can Can We We Work Work Together? Together?
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6 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Winter 2015
THANK YOU VALOR SPONSORS TITLE SPONSORS
AWARDS SPONSOR C.P. Dean ONLINE MEDIA SPONSOR Richmond.com
PLATINUM SPONSOR The 100 Club
PHOTOGRAPHY SPONSOR Robert Thomas Photography
GOLD SPONSOR Motorola
PRINT MEDIA SPONSOR Richmond Times-Dispatch
SILVER SPONSORS Bon Secours Richmond Health System Haley Buick GMC Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc. Kelleher HVAC Puritan Cleaners SunTrust Virginia Credit Union
PRINTING SPONSOR Conquest Graphics SPECIAL GIFTS SPONSOR Jack Kreuter Jeweler SIGN SPONSOR Keith Fabry Reprographic Solutions VENUE HOST & PARKING SPONSOR Greater Richmond Convention Center
AUDIO VISUAL SPONSOR PSAV
TABLE HOST SPONSORS Admiral Security Services Comcast Spotlight Dominion Payroll Services EVB Experient Health Global Spectrum Henrico Police Foundation Holiday Barn Pet Resorts James River Transportation Owens & Minor Richmond Alarm Company Richmond Flying Squirrels Richmond Region Tourism Stony Point Fashion Park Vector Security Village Bank Westhampton Merchants Association Woody Funeral Home
VALOR VIDEO SPONSOR BES Studios
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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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! Event Title Sponsor
Look who’s joined since the last issue:
New Member Sponsor
ACAC Fitness & Wellness Center
New Members at the October Economic Forecast
Back Row: Eleanor Sharp (VCU Office of Continuing and Professional Education), Aaron Brooks (Southern Season), David Ashwell (Health South Rehab of VA), John Stemmle & Wally Scott (Stemmle Plumbing Repair Inc), Tom Leondard (Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market) & Bethany Davis (UVest Energy Services). Front Row: Laura Eaheart (Southern Season), Anne Anderson (Bremo Pharmacies), Katherine Sir (Silky Paws Mobile Grooming), Cathy Kelley & a representative (Health South Rehab of VA), Sheila Stells (C.L. Stells Painting), Kate Wagner (SONA Bank) & Kim Brundage (Kim Brundage Photography).
New Members at the 2014 Distinguished Retailer of the Year Awards
Back Row: Chris Woody (ACAC Fitness & Wellness Center), Jason Watts (Watts Wood Products), Clyde Farris (Farris Media Group), Ed Blair (Blair & Assoc CPA’s PLC), Gary Hall & Ward Currin (Bank of Lancaster), Kent Cardwell (Taylor Long Properties) & Jay Lugar (WHK Solutions). Front Row: Regina Sobley (Bank of Lancaster), Sarah Love (Pure Barre Richmond - Near West End), Lori Janke (Plato’s Closet), Lisa Dearden (ChiknEGG Productions), Grace Barnes & Bootsie Whitt (Milby’s Just Kids), Ellen Taylor (Taylor Long Properties), Dishad Charania (Tobacco & More), Kylie Bransford & Cary Doak (Bank of Lancaster).
Ace Glass Repair Inc. Bag & Bags Bank of Lancaster Blair & Assoc CPA’s PLC Capel Rugs Chesterfield County Economic Development ChiknEGG Productions Collector’s Heaven Elite RVA Magazine Farris Media Group Greenfield Residences at Monument Avenue Joey Schlager & The Richmond Realty Team KW Commercial Ladles & Linens Kitchen Shoppe Laser Quest Milby’s Just Kids Motley’s Asset Disposition Group Plato’s Closet Mechanicsville Pure Barre Richmond Risk & Identity Solutions, Inc. Riverside School Sassy Bee Segue Energy Shine Blowdry Bar Sign Crafters Sportable Sutton-Clark Supply, Inc. Taradel Taylor Long Properties The Risk Management Group / Legal Shield Tobacco & More Virginia Center Commons Watts Wood Products
8 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Winter 2015
VIRGINIA RETAIL FEDERATION
Advocacy Update: The 2015 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Agenda The 2015 General Assembly is upon us. Convening from January 14th through February 28, 2015, the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate will meet for a short but busy session. The Virginia Retail Federation (VRF) shares this brief legislative update on the Governor’s budget presentation from December 2014. The Governor plans to lower the Accelerated Sales Tax threshold from $26 million to $2.5 million, which will affect 4,297 vendors. In addition, the restaurant annual inspection fee will be raised from $40 to $285, as well as a weights and measures fee increase, which is on a sliding scale up to $375 based upon square footage. Because both chambers are up for election in 2015, this year’s General Assembly Session is expected to be lively and fast paced. Information about your legislators and bill tracking is available on the Virginia General Assembly website at www.virginiageneralassembly.gov.
Virginia Retail Federation, LLC
Partnering for Retail Advocacy
The VRF is represented by Mary Huffard Kegley, Jodi Roth and Kate Baker, who will all be present for the Session’s entirety to share your retail business message with elected officials who are the decision-makers. The VRF is a joint advocacy effort between Retail Merchants Association and Retail Alliance that represents the business interests of the retail industry at the local, State, and Federal levels of government. The VRF legislative team anticipates that many issues impacting your retail business will be introduced. The VRF will continue to let legislators know how their proposals impact 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 during the General Assembly at www.virginiaretailfederation.com.
For additional information, contact the VRF team: Mary Huffard Kegley
mhkegley@virginiaretailfederation.com 804.662.5505
Kate Baker
kbaker@virginiaretailfederation.com 757.455.9305
Jodi Roth
jroth@virginiaretailfederation.com 804.690.4940
THINK. SHOP. BUY. LOCAL SATURDAY Think. Shop. Buy. Local Saturday Winners
For the fourth year in a row, Think. Shop. Buy. Local® Saturday was a huge success! Over 100 retail members participated and over 1,000 consumers entered for the chance to win one of three $250 gift cards! The three lucky winners for 2014 are: Cheryl Rhodes, who entered at O’Virginia; Nancy Johnson, who entered at the Shops at 5807; and Stefanie Fontanez who entered at Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa.
Part of this year’s success stemmed from RMA’s expanded promotional efforts. This year, RMA added TV commercials, social media campaigns, mobile ads and a Google Maps component to the proven efforts of print ads, digital media and e-communications. RMA also provided retail participants with flyers to use in store, contest entry forms and social media toolkits. To increase awareness of the event, RMA gave away $25 gift cards every day for the ten days leading up to November 29. Thanks to Infotel for providing the gift cards.
ThinkShopBuyLocal.com
Retail Merchants Association (RMA) listened to our members’ feedback and made some changes to better promote and enhance the overall program. For 2014, Think. Shop. Buy Local Saturday was held on Saturday, November 29 – the same day as American Express’s Small Business Saturday. Consumers visited the participating retailers to enter for the chance to win one of three $250 gift cards (provided by RMA) – upping the total number of gift cards from the previous three years. Once in the participating stores, consumers could enter the contest in multiple ways – either by physically filling out an entry form or by snapping a photo in store and sharing it on social media, tagged with #shoprva.
And as an added element, RMA extended the promotion of shopping locally beyond November 29, continuing the campaign’s message via TV commercials and social media promotions through the holidays and by partnering with Richmond.com for a photo contest. Mary Claire Hall won a $50 gift card for her photo taken at Lex’s of Carytown. Lex’s was also a winner. The store received an advertising package valued at over $3,000 courtesy of Richmond. com. Thank you to all who participated this year! We’re looking forward to even greater ways to Think. Shop. Buy. Local in 2015!
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10 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Winter 2015
RMA EVENTS & NEWS JANUARY 19 VRF Annual Legislative Reception Event Sponsors
FEBRUARY 6 First Friday Forum Title Sponsor
10 Connect@ Southern Season Series Sponsors
MARCH 6 First Friday Forum Title Sponsor
24 Key Session - watch fore details!
APRIL 3 First Friday Forum Title Sponsor
16 Joint “Connect It Up” at Richmond International Raceway (RIR) Series Sponsors
Changes to the RMA Board of Directors The new terms for the RMA Board of Directors coincide with the beginning of the calendar year. As this newsletter goes to print, the slate of new board members is set for a vote on January 15th. This slate includes the following new board members: • Bill Foster, President and CEO of Village Bank • Nhat Pham, Founder and Chief Strategist of SUCCESSWERKS • Bobbi Heaney, Co-owner of Mango Salon • And John Whitlock, Chairman of Whitlock We look forward to welcoming this group of insightful and energetic leaders. And we send a big “Thank You” to Gary Glover, President/ CEO of Puritan Cleaners, who completes his second term serving on the RMA Board of Directors.
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