by George Kelemen, President and CEO of the Texas Retailers Association
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rior to a few months ago, it never would have crossed your mind that the landscape and availability of retail as you know it would completely change, then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. On March 15, the Texas Retailers Association (TRA) issued the following statement on its website: TRA is actively engaged on being a key resource for retailers in Texas on how to manage through the increasing impacts of the Coronavirus. As we all know, the impacts so far include cancellation and/or postponement of large scale events such as the SXSW festival in Austin, and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, in addition to companies restricting corporate travel and asking employees to work from home. The retail sector and TRA’s member companies have not gone without impact thus far. We are in close communication with our members so that we can be aware of measures they are taking to manage through this disruptive time. Additionally, TRA is actively engaged with our national retail and food industry trade association partners to stay aware of everything that is happening related to the Coronavirus on an industry-wide basis, as well as at the federal government level. These resources, which are continually updated, are available on the TRA website. Specific to Texas, TRA is coordinating with state and local authorities, to monitor actions that are taken at the state and local levels regarding the Coronavirus, as well as 16 | FALL 2020
serving as a resource where we are asked. It is our hope that the current disruptions and impacts related to the Coronavirus will be a temporary situation, but TRA is here to help Texas retailers get through this challenging time. The good news for retailers in Texas is that TRA advocates every day for the retail industry at all levels of government. Therefore, our ability to pivot quickly to focus on helping our industry manage through the COVID-19 pandemic is the latest example of what TRA does for the industry and how effective of a voice TRA is for retailers across Texas. TRA represents companies and retail professionals who make up one of the world’s largest economies and provides them a voice in Austin and Washington, D.C., as well valuable membership benefits. Through TRA’s various initiatives we aim to improve the lives of not just retailers, but customers as well. By providing government advocacy, industry information and education resources and events, as well as supporting educational programs and scholarship funds, we ensure our members concerns are met and protected. Over the subsequent months we have had to work like never before to ensure protections for the retail industry. The sudden closures mandated by local and state government brought to light just how necessary it is to speak up, get involved with your industry association, and
