Winter 2016
2015 RETAILER OF THE YEAR STAFFDISTINGUISHED CORNER Retail Merchants Association (RMA) announced Ronnie Adolf, owner of Richmond’s iconic Adolf Jewelers, as the 2015 Distinguished Retailer of the Year!
parents, [it is] a proof of success... What they had in mind over the years evolved into a wonderful business.” He upholds his family’s legacy by selflessly giving back to the community. "It is very important," Ronnie explains, "Even if you just do some help for your local neighbors... That's what local business, and what we are all about.”
“Honesty, fairness, and integrity - it is something that we work very, very hard at.” - Ronnie Adolf, Owner of Adolf Jewelers; Pictured right with his wife and daughter
IN THIS ISSUE... 1
2015 Distinguished Retailer of the Year
2
Letter to Members
3
Think. Shop. Buy. Local’s #LoyaltoLocal Campaign
4
The RMA Scene
6 26 Annual Valor th
Awards Ceremony
8
VRF Legislative Update
9
RMA Endorsed Vendors & Member-Only Benefits
10
Welcome New Members
11
Welcome New RMA Board Members
RMA Events Calendar
Established in 1961 by his parents, Kurt and Jean Adolf, Adolf Jewelers has become a go-to for Richmonders to get high quality jewelry and has only flourished throughout the years. Ronnie remembers helping his mother place tags on costume jewelry back when he was only about six years old. As we honored Ronnie with the 2015 Distinguished Retailer of the Year Award on December 4, 2015, he graciously accepted with his parents in mind. Staying true to their business’ values, Ronnie humbly deferred credit to his dedicated and longstanding staff of knowledgeable jewelers. “Winning is a real validation of the fact that what we’ve been doing is good work [and the] people that we hire are great people,” he told award ceremony attendees, “[and] for my
Ronnie’s proven leadership and dedication to giving back inspires both local retailers and Richmond as a whole. His ever-present smile and endearing personality exemplifies the culture of Adolf Jewelers and their well-known tagline - “Relax. We’ll make you happy.” The Distinguished Retailer of the Year Award has been presented by Retail Merchants Association since 1966. It was designed to recognize a local retailer who is a proven leader in his or her company and actively involved in his or her community. It is an honor to be nominated for this prestigious award, and an even greater distinction to be selected as an award finalist. Congratulations to all of the nominees, the finalists and, of course, to Ronnie Adolf! Please submit all nominations for the 2016 Distinguished Retailer of the Year Award to Gretchen Nurnberger at gnurnberger@retailmerchants.com.
STAFF CORNER Happy New Year! With the start of a new year, it is a time for both reflection and goal-setting. I hope 2015 was prosperous for both you and your business, and I wish you continued success in the coming year. We hope you noticed and benefitted from our increased efforts to both inform consumers about the importance of shopping locally and encourage them to Think. Shop. Buy. Local (TSBL) during the holiday season. With our new “Loyal to Local� campaign (See page 3 for more details), continuous e-communications, social media advertisements, and other various digital promotions, we hope to leave a lasting impression on the Richmond community that builds a commitment to shopping locally throughout the year. Our mission here at RMA has always been to help our local retailers thrive. In the upcoming year, we encourage you to take advantage of our exclusive member benefits. They are intended to provide you with the resources needed to help your business succeed. Through RMA programs and staff support, we offer countless opportunities to network and collaborate with neighboring businesses, promote and engage businesses and consumers, provide retail advocacy, and much more! On behalf of all of us here at RMA, I want to thank you for your membership and support. Cheers to another great year ahead! With gratitude, Sherry Minson Member Relations Advisor
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 help local retailers thrive.
We are collaborators who promote connectivity, change and creativity. We are a resource for our members. We expect
excellence in ourselves and in our work.
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THINK. SHOP. BUY. LOCAL
The goal of the Think. Shop. Buy. Local (TSBL) program is to educate consumers about the importance of shopping locally. While this still holds true, as we move into a new year we recognize that we need to adjust how we are reaching consumers. It’s no secret that the social media trend has become an increasingly essential communication tool for businesses. It provides brands the opportunity to engage with customers in a new way, and we recognize that we need to utilize this vital channel with Think. Shop. Buy. Local.
social media networks. Our goal was to create new and engaging ways of promoting the importance of shopping locally. Thus, the “Loyal to Local” campaign was born.
We asked well-known, community-minded Richmonders to participate in a video campaign that highlighted what TSBL is all about. We ended up with a diverse group of local businesses here in Richmond, with equally distinct stories and missions. Though different, each of our conversations came back to one thing: community. This became the focus for the TSBL campaign – our local In our Fall issue, we addressed the need to make local businesses are loyal to our community and they deserve consumers more aware of the TSBL brand beyond just that same loyalty. recognizing the blue and green sticker that graces many of your shops’ windows. We scaled back our marketing The “Loyal to Local” campaign launched the week leading efforts and looked for other ways to strategically achieve up to Small Business Saturday and ran throughout the a greater awareness, one of which included the use of holiday season. The video was placed on a variety of digital platforms, including the Think. Shop. Buy. Local website, our various social media pages, Vimeo and The Retail Partners Newsletter is published four YouTube. The results are impressive: times annually.
Editorial Offices
Retail Merchants Association 5101 Monument Ave | Richmond, VA 23230 804.726.5043
Publisher
Diana Kent | dkent@retailmerchants.com
Editor
Danni Neal | dneal@retailmerchants.com
Contributing Writers Danni Neal Diana Kent Gretchen Nurnberger Mary Huffard Kegley Sherry Minson
Ad Sales
Danni Neal | 804.662.5508 dneal@retailmerchants.com
© 2016 Retail Merchants Association, Richmond
• • •
Over 120,000 reached on Facebook & Instagram Over 65,000 video views on Facebook & Instagram Over 3,000 unique users to the TSBL website
More importantly, we are seeing lasting engagement across all of the TSBL social media platforms. For example, since the launch of the “Loyal to Local” video, we have seen over 200 new likes and a 1500% boost in overall engagement on the TSBL Facebook page alone. This expansion of engagement only increases the value of your TSBL member benefits. We encourage you to take advantage of these benefits by posting your events, special deals, discounts and more on the Think. Shop. Buy. Local website for increased exposure. Lastly, the most important piece we have taken away from this campaign is the power of a collective voice. With the help of members like you, we are able to expand our audience to reach far more consumers. We encourage you to continue to share the Think. Shop. Buy. Local message throughout the year!
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THE RMA SCENE 1 2
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6 7 8 9
Grand Opening Celebration at i’Collection - Finer Sleep Products in Regency Square Mall
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Diana Kent (RMA) and Alex Wharton (VCU Athletics) at the October First Friday Forum with Coach Will Wade The RMA Team at the 26th Annual Valor Awards Ceremony Megan Way (RMA), Robert Thomas (Robert Thomas Photography) & Sara Moncrieff (Puritan Cleaners) at the October First Friday Forum Ken Wayland (Free Agents Marketing) and Kevin Reardon (Franco’s Fine Clothier) at the October First Friday Forum
3
The Mango Team at the Grand Opening Celebration for Mango Salon in Gayton Crossing Grand Opening Celebration for BodyBrite Grand Opening Celebration at The Urban Farmhouse’s new location on VCU's Campus Ronnie Adolf & the Adolf Jeweler’s Team after he received the 2015 Distinguished Retailer of the Year Award
10 Myles
Schwartz (Level 3 Communications), Coach Will Wade (VCU Athletics), John Jay Schwartz (Have Site Will Travel), Ed McLaughlin (VCU Athletics) & Nancy Thomas (RMA) at the October First Friday Forum
4
5
11 Bremo
Pharmacy’s Grand Opening at Henrico Doctors' Hospital
12 Len East (RMA) and Gail Held
(Disco Sports) at the October First Friday Forum
13 Susan & Ronnie Adolf (Adolf
Jewelers) mingle with Nancy Thomas (RMA) before the 2015 Distinguished Retailer of the Year Award Ceremony
6
14 Sherry Minson (RMA) and Lt.
Lawrence Taylor (Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office) talk over coffee before the 26th Annual Valor Awards Ceremony
15 Greater Richmond Pipes &
Drums at the 26th Annual Valor Awards Ceremony
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A CELEBRATION OF VALOR
26
th
individuals were recognized for their community engagement and involvement as they each received a Valor Challenge Coin. Challenge Coins are historically symbolic as they are exchanged for distinctive achievements in the military and law enforcement. The 25 Valor Award recipients each received this special coin as well. The support and inspiration that stemmed from this year’s event was unparalleled. Thank you to our many sponsors and everyone that was able to attend. We look forward to celebrating our first responders with you in the coming years. Please be sure to mark your calendars for the 27th Annual Valor Awards, coming on Thursday, November 10, 2016.
Honoring the Heroism of Richmond’s First Responders The 26th Annual Valor Awards presented by Retail Merchants Association was a memorable and aweinspiring event. On November 6, 2015, the community came together with the overwhelming support of 900 people in attendance to recognize first responders that have gone above and beyond the call of duty. This year, Retail Merchants Association was honored to present 22 Bronze Valor Awards, 2 Silver Valor Awards and 1 Gold Valor Award to first responders for their acts of bravery, courage and self-sacrifice. The 26th Annual Valor Award Ceremony was filled with some very special - Officer William A. Turner, Gold Valor Award moments. It was the first time since 2006 that a first Recipient, with his family after receiving his award at the 26th Annual Awards Ceremony responder was recognized with a Gold Valor Award. A civilian received a Silver Valor Award with the survivor there to thank him in person for his efforts. Additionally, each recipient was joined by family as they accepted “The program, the atmosphere and the attendance was overwhelmingly impressive. their Valor Award. Prior to presenting the Valor Awards, a video reflection entitled “One Mission, Many Parts,” was played for attendees. The video highlighted the roles of those behind the scenes who help first responders get the job done. It emphasized the importance of teamwork and community. The video was produced and sponsored by BES Studios and can be viewed on the Valor Awards page of the RMA website.
Each and every recipient inspired a great feeling of appreciation. And the sense of good fortune that we live in a community with dedicated first responder professionals who will do whatever it takes to help people in serious trouble come out alive. We are lucky to have them.”
Following the presentation of the Valor Awards, six 6 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Winter 2016
- Tim Perry, General Manager of FOX Richmond/MyTV Richmond
Thank You to All of Our Sponsors! Title
Platinum
Silver
Dominion Resources DuPont Haley Buick GMC Kelleher HVAC Motorola Solutions Puritan Cleaners SunTrust Bank Virginia Credit Union
Table Host
Admiral Security Services Bliley’s Bon Secours Richmond Health System C&F Bank Capital One Dominion Payroll Services EVB Experient Health, A Virginia Farm Bureau Company Free Agents Marketing Henrico Police Foundation James River Transportation Keiter Lamar Advertising MARTIN’S Mission BBQ Owens & Minor Regency Square Richmond Alarm Company Richmond Flying Squirrels Richmond Region Tourism RVA Home for Heroes Spectra Venue Management Stony Point Fashion Park The Middle Resolution TowneBank Richmond Vector Security, Inc. Wells Fargo Advisors
Gold
continued... Westhampton Merchants Association Whitlock Woody Funeral Home
- Presentation of the Colors, the Color Guard marching at the 26th Annual Valor Award Ceremony
Audio Visual PSAV
Awards C.P. Dean Co.
Photography
Robert Thomas Photography
Print & Online Media
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Print & Mailing
Worth Higgins & Associates
Signage
KeithFabry Reprographic Solutions
Special Gifts Cowardin’s Jewelers Jack Kreuter Jeweler
Valor Video BES Studios
Venue Host & Parking Greater Richmond Convention Center
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VIRGINIA RETAIL FEDERATION
Legislative Agenda for This Year’s General Assembly The 2016 Virginia General Assembly is upon us! The Virginia House of Delegates and Senate convened in Richmond on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, for another diligent, fast-paced session that is scheduled to continue through Saturday, March 12, 2016. Many issues being introduced during this year’s General Assembly Session are anticipated to impact the retail industry. The Virginia Retail Federation (VRF), represented by Mary Huffard Kegley, Kate Baker and Jodi Roth, are present on your behalf to share your retail business message with decision-makers and keep you informed every step of the way! One matter in particular to pay attention to in this year’s legislative agenda is Governor McAuliffe’s biennial budget proposal. Virginia Retail Federation (VRF) has tirelessly worked with the Governor’s office to raise the Accelerated Sales Tax (AST) threshold. In 2015, the AST threshold in annual sales was lowered from $26 million to $2.5 million. The Governor’s current budget includes a proposed increase of the AST threshold to $10 million, with an additional increase to $25 million for the following year. This is great news for many Virginia retailers! VRF is continuing to work throughout Session to ensure the increase remains in the budget. The VRF team is carefully monitoring this and other legislative matters that may potentially influence the retail industry. Keep an eye out for their weekly email updates in The Retail Advocate throughout the duration of the General Assembly for information on legislation status, bill tracking, and how to contact legislators. Visit VirginiaRetailFederation.com to sign up for The Retail Advocate e-newsletter and receive up-to-the-minute updates on VRF social media platforms. Additional information is available on the Virginia General Assembly website, VirginiaGeneralAssembly.gov. The VRF advocacy effort represents the business interests of the retail industry at the local, State, and Federal levels of government. Your input is crucial to VRF’s opportunity to share the impact of legislation on the retail industry. Questions regarding these and other legislative issues? Please contact Mary Huffard Kegley at 434.760.1142 or mhkegley@virginiaretailfederation.com. 8 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Winter 2016
MEMBER-ONLY BENEFITS
UPS Increases Member-Only Discounts!
Endorsed Vendors
Convenient. Reliable. Affordable.
RMA’s Endorsed Vendors offer free consultations and reduced pricing to RMA members.
As an RMA Endorsed Vendor, UPS now offers RMA members a chance to save up to 32% on shipping needs. We want to make sure you’re taking advantage of this exclusive RMA member benefit!
D
P
S
DOMINION PAYROLL SERVICES
We are confident that, more than ever before, our members will feel at ease entrusting their shipping needs through UPS. See the chart below for a sneak peek of these reduced shipping rates solely offered to RMA members!
Total Weekly Gross Transportation Charges*
UPS Next Day Air® / Next Day Air Saver®
UPS 2nd Day Air®/ 2nd Day Air A.M.®
(Ltr/Pkg)
(Ltr/Pkg)
UPS 3 Day Select® (Pkg)1
Joe LaBella 804.355.3430 jlabella@dominionpayroll.com
UPS UPS Worldwide Worldwide Express®/ Express®/ Saver®/ Saver®/ Expedited®/ Expedited®/ Express Freight® Express Freight® Export Import (Ltr/Doc/Pkg)
(Ltr/Doc/Pkg)
$0.01-$49.99
19%
16%
16%
16%
16%
$50-$99.99
20%
16.5%
16.5%
16.5%
16.5%
$100-$249.99
21%
17%
17%
17%
17%
UPS Standard® to and from Mexico
UPS Standard® to and from Canada2
UPS Ground Commercial
UPS Ground Commercia
(1-10 lbs)1
(11-30 lbs)1
Brooke Barnes 8% 8% 804.290.1124 8.5% 8.5% 13% brooke.barnes@vafb.com 12%
15%
Like what you see? To take advantage of these exciting new RMA member18% 18% shipping 18% new UPS 22% full breakdown 18% only $250-$499.99 discounts and see the of these rates, please visit SaveWithUPS.com/RMA. 19% 22% 20% 26% 20% $500-$999.99
9.5%
9%
Meagan Vickery 9.5% 10.5% 18% 804.382.1274 10.5% 11.5% 19%meagan.vickery@vafb.com
21%UPS 25% Allison28% 32% offer, please 12% 25% 13% $1,000 more and up about this 21% To learn contact Cherry, our *Above incentives include an Electronic PLD Bonus of 10% (5% for UPS Commercial/Residential Ground, no bonus for UPS Worldwide Express / Saver / Expedited / Import). Shipments tendered via non-Electronic PLD will not receive the bonus. The following representative, at 804.317.3432 or allisoncherry@ups.com. methods of providing UPS shipment information are considered non-electronic: Manifest Key Entered, Manifest Summary, Hundredweight Shipping Document, Paper Waybill, Air Shipping Document, Shipping Record (SRB/SRM), Consignee Billing Paper Books. ®
®
®
*Incentives applied each week will be calculated using a 52-week rolling average of gross transportation charges (excluding accessorial, surcharges and international import services, unless otherwise specified) for eligible packages tendered to UPS. A minimum net package charge equal to a Zone 2, 1 pound package will apply to all UPS 3 Day Select® packages. Discounts apply to published standard list rates in effect at time of shipment. Customers in Alaska and Hawaii should call 1-800-PICK-UPS® for service availability. For all other questions related to these savings, please call 1-800-325-7000. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST.
Digital Platforms & Advertising
Doris Ann Kane 804.649.6291 © 2013 United Parcel Service of America, Inc. UPS, the UPS brandmark, and the color brown are trademarks of United Parcel Service of America, Inc. All rights reserved. dkane@timesdispatch.com Keep your business informed and engaged. For each package, Member agrees to pay the greater of the net package charge based on the above incentives or the minimum published UPS list package charge of a Zone 2, 1 lb package for the respective service.
1
For each package, Member agrees to pay the greater of the net package charge based on the above incentives or the minimum published UPS list package charge of a UPS Standard® to Canada, 1 lb package for the respective zone.
2
Retail Merchants Association provides its members with a variety of communication platforms on which to share news and information, promote various events, deals and discounts, post job openings, explore member-tomember offers and much more! Each platform has its own capabilities, audience, and purpose. To see our quick guide on where and how to post to our various platforms, please visit the "Member Benefits" page on RetailMerchants.com. Did you know that on top of being distributed to over 1,000 members and readers, digital versions of our quarterly newsletter are also made available on the RMA website? With our low advertising rates and targeted audience, advertising in our Retail Partners newsletter is a great opportunity to promote your business. Interested in advertising with us? Simply contact Danni Neal at 804.662.5508 or dneal@retailmerchants.com. 9 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Winter 2016
Allison Cherry 804.317.3432 allisoncherry@ups.com
Scott Johnston 804.836.6798 scott.johnston@worldpay.us
9% 9.5% 10% 10.5% 11.5% 13%
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Look who has joined since our last issue... Alex Wotring, Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer Cameron K. Gallagher Memorial Foundation Elements Massage Short Pump First Tennessee Bank Foremost Sales Luxury Units, LLC Murphy Business & Financial Corporation - Virginia Organization Management Group Richmond Electric Supply Co. (RESCO) Richmond Security Smartbox of Richmond SpeedPro Imaging Event Title Sponsor
New Member Sponsor
New Members at the Distinguished Retailer of the Year Awards Ceremony Back Row: Matthew McDonald (Follow Media Consulting), David Boyle (Foremost Sales), Steve Butler (Elements Massage Short Pump), Michael Metzger (Murphy Business & Financial), Mark Collins (SpeedPro Imaging) & David Coleman (Richmond Electric Supply [RESCO]) Front Row: Grace Gallagher (Cameron K. Gallagher [CKG] Memorial Foundation), Nannette Shor (CKG Memorial Foundation), Gail Letts (First Tennessee Bank [FTB]), Erica Hildebrandt (SpeedPro Imaging), Hattie Hamlin (FTB), Lisa Streat (FTB) & Jane Fortune (FTB)
New Members at the October First Friday Forum
New Members at the January First Friday Forum
Back Row: Matthew McDonald (Follow Media Consulting), Kyle Milwit (The Idea Center) & Barry Martin (The Idea Center)
Back Row: Alex Wotring (Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer), Stephen Wilkinson (Richmond Security), David Robertson (Richmond Security) & Bryan Bostic (Smartbox of Richmond)
Front Row: Janice Clifton (The Virginia Cliffe Inn) & Andrea Katz (Tidewater Physical Therapy)
Front Row: Todd Miller (Richmond Security), Brennan Spoonhower (Richmond Security) & Bruce Richardson (Luxury Units, LLC)
10 | Retail Partners | RetailMerchants.com | ThinkShopBuyLocal.com | Winter 2016
RMA NEWS & EVENTS CALENDAR
2016 RMA Board of Directors
A warm welcome to all new board members & thank you to those who have served! 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 21st. This slate includes the following new board members: • Elizabeth Fraizer, Co-owner of Richmond Raiders • Chris Holder, Vice President of Capital Ale House • Jenni Kirby, Owner of Crossroads Art Center • Norman Way, Vice President of Puritan Cleaners We look forward to welcoming this group of insightful and energetic leaders. And we send a big “Thank You” to Page Ewell, Rudy Garcia, Michael Siewers, Mark Smith and Ken Wayland, past Chair, who completed their terms serving on the RMA Board of Directors!
FEBRUARY 5
First Friday Forum
9
Key Session
16
“Mommy Tsunami” Luncheon with Katherine Wintsch
Connect@
Ellwood Thompson's
MARCH 4
First Friday Forum
Music, Mentoring & Leadership with Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher
20
First Day of Spring!
24
Connect It Up
with Richmond Region Tourism
APRIL 8
First Friday Forum Loyal to Local
Don't forget to post your own upcoming local events on the TSBL website! Simply visit ThinkShopBuyLocal.com/Local-Events.
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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/ThinkShopBuyLocal Facebook.com/VirginiaRetailFederation Twitter.com/RetailMerchants Twitter.com/ShopLocalRVA Twitter.com/VARetailFed Instagram.com/ShopLocalRVA
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