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Retail groups laud Obama's State of the Union Address |
| Job creation, childhood obesity recognized by retail groups |
01.29.2010
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WASHINGTON-Following President Obama's State of the Union Address on Jan. 27, retail groups praised his emphasis on job creation and mention of reducing childhood obesity.
The National Retail Federation, a retail trade association that represents retailers from independents to large chain stores, welcomed President Obama's emphasis on job creation. Jobs are the key to economic turnaround for the nation's economy and retail in particular, according to the NRF.
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"President Obama's focus on the economy and job creation needs to be Washington's highest priority," NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin said in a prepared statement. "As the industry that employs one out of every five Americans, we stand ready to work with the President and Congress to enact legislation that will allow our nation's economy to improve and put Americans back to work. Jobs are truly the key to economic recovery, and that is seen no more clearly than in the retail industry: consumers don't shop if they don't have jobs, and there's no market for the goods produced by other industries if consumers aren't shopping. The economy simply isn't going to get back on its feet until the employment situation improves."
Earlier this week, two retailers-Walmart and Macy's-announced job cuts this week-11,200 and 1,500 positions respectively. See related story in this week's Gourmet eNews.
At the State of the Union address, one independent grocer was in attendance. Jeff Brown of Brown's Super Stores in Philadelphia, was invited to sit with the First Lady during the address. Brown, according to a prepared statement, owns 10 ShopRite stores, has been working with the Fresh Food Financing Initiative, a program that uses state and private monies for grocery store development in underserved areas. With government grants, Brown has opened four stores in the low-income areas, giving residents access to fresh meat and produce at fair prices.
"We are delighted President Obama recognizes Jeff Brown's hard work and commitment to provide his customers in Philadelphia fresh, affordable and nutritious food," said Leslie G. Sarasin, president and chief executive officer of the Food Marketing Institute, in a prepared statement. "Grocery stores provide jobs to people who live in the community and are the cornerstone of many neighborhoods and towns. Brown's stores exemplify the important role supermarkets play within a community and retailers like Jeff understand the positive impact a grocery store has on a neighborhood and its families.
During his address, President Obama briefly mentioned First Lady's mission to "tackle the epidemic of childhood obesity and make kids healthier."
"We are also pleased that First Lady Michelle Obama is committed to addressing the problem of childhood obesity," said FMI's Sarasin, in a prepared statement. FMI's member companies-food retailers and wholesalers-represent 26,000 food stores in the U.S. "Grocers share her concern and look forward to collaborating with the administration on the unique role our industry can play by providing better access to food that promotes healthy lifestyles and educating our customers about nutritious foods."
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