Retail Day 2012, part of the Business Day 2012 event, will be hosted by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association in conjunction with the Illinois Manufacturers Association at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center in Springfield.

The program starts with a noon Luncheon at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel followed by a visit with legislators at the Statehouse. The day concludes with an evening reception offering live music, food and drink and a chance to meet casually with legislators and fellow business leaders.

To register for Retail Day, contact IRMA at 1-800-572-5044 or email dbasowski@irma.org. Individual registrations are $85 per person. Meeting and hotel registration deadline is Tuesday, April 3. A limited number of rooms are available at a group rate of $102.99 per night at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center. Ask for group code “IRMA” and call 866/788-1860 for room reservations.

Click here for the printable Registration Form

Marine Sgt. Peter Sifnotis accepts a check from IRMA President & CEO David F. Vite after several IRMA member retailers donated a total of $36,000 to Toys for Tots.

While police investigated the alleged embezzlement of $25,000 from Toys for Tots Chicagoland, IRMA staff talked to numerous retail members who offered to help replace the missing funds. On Tuesday afternoon, the retailers’ donations totaled $36,000.

The Santa’s of the contribution included CVS, Dominick’s, Macy’s, McDonald’s, Sears, Target, Walgreens and Walmart.

IRMA served as a collection source for the donations and the money was presented to a representative of the Marine Corps Reserves at IRMA’s Chicago office on Dec. 21.

“The generosity from these companies was remarkable, but not surprising,” said IRMA President & CEO David F. Vite. “They stepped up when there was a need, just as they have done many times before.”

The $25,000 represents about a year’s worth of cash donations to the organization. News reports showed that a number of individuals also responded with donations when they found out about the missing Toys for Tots’ funds.

Illinois Retail Merchants Association President & CEO David F. Vite thanked Senator Durbin for standing up for Main Street businesses by co-sponsoring legislation that would close the sales tax loophole that has given online retailers like Amazon an unfair advantage over local job providers for over a decade.

“Retailers compete on price 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  That competition should be on an even playing field, without government policy benefiting one type of business over another,” Vite said.

Durbin joins a growing bipartisan group of legislators who value Main Street businesses and the countless number of jobs and economic benefits they provide to their communities. As internet sales continue to grow, now is the time for Congress to join Durbin and support a level playing field.

“Government shouldn’t be picking winners and losers by giving a handful of online retailers special treatment.  The state sales tax collected should be the same, whether a sale is done over a countertop or with a keyboard and a mouse.” Vite said.

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The Illinois Retail Merchants Association represents more than 23,000 retailers of all sizes and merchandise types throughout the state. The organization has served as an advocate for the retailing community in Illinois since 1957.

A centerpiece of the campaign is an interactive website, www.retailmeansjobs.com, which will house new research conducted for the NRF by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The research shows how the retail industry directly and indirectly supports nearly one in four U.S. jobs and provided 18 percent of GDP in 2009. Illinois-specific industry numbers are also available.

In Illinois alone, the statistics show that there are 1,693,548 jobs supported by the retail industry. The website not only shows that Illinois has 136,767 retail establishments and nearly $31 billion in direct retail labor income, but it breaks down the statistics by legislative districts.

The website also shows statistics for various retail categories, from electronics and appliances to food and beverage stores, and compares the retail industry’s employment and GDP to other industries from health care to construction.

The information will be useful in an NRF campaign to highlight the importance of retailing to the overall economy. The campaign will include grassroots work, social media and various other communication channels.

The NRF campaign was launched in order to advance a comprehensive policy agenda with specific priorities to support the creation of new jobs, encourage continued innovations that will drive the growth of commerce and fight against higher costs for consumers.

The annual award is given to a retailer not only successful in business, but committed to community and civic affairs and respected in the industry.

A family-owned and operated business since 1950, Potash Markets is a full-service grocery with three locations in downtown Chicago. They offer personalized service in the Gold Coast (875 N. State St.) and Sandburg Village (1525 N. Clark St.) neighborhoods of Chicago as well a store for residents in the John Hancock Center.

“These are people who take care of their own – their family, their employees, their customers and their neighbors. They make them feel as though they’re a part of the business,” said IRMA President & CEO David F. Vite. “They also give their time and effort to the retail industry. So we’re proud to honor them in this way.”

Siblings Dave, Melvin, Marian and the late Herbert Potash opened the first store 61 years ago. The three surviving siblings still work in the company while Mel’s son, Art Potash, serves as CEO.

Potash Markets flourishes amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago because it focuses on the people who make up the business.

They oblige customers requesting donations for fundraisers, give regularly to neighborhood churches and schools, and even create special memento books to the families of newborn babies. When employees need help, they have offered interest-free loans or arranged flexible work schedules. Employees return that loyalty, and many stay at the company for 30, 40 or 50 years.

Close relationships also develop with other business partners. The company has stayed with the same accountant, attorney and insurance agent for decades.

The Potash family gets involved in the industry, through organizations like the Illinois Food Retailers Association and the Food Marketing Institute. Mel Potash is a past chairman of the Illinois Food Retailers Association. Art Potash currently serves on the Board of Directors at the Food Marketing Institute.

Earlier this year, Art participated in a press conference at the request of Illinois Senator Dick Durbin on the Senator’s Swipe Fee amendment for credit card reform. It was just one example of how this small family business was able to make a difference for retailers of all sizes across the country.

Retail success is nothing new to this company. At one point, in the late 1960s, Potash boasted the highest volume sales per square foot of any grocer in the country. More recently, the retailer redesigned its stores in an effort to make the customers’ experience more satisfying, fun and convenient.

Potash Markets now features the new Sandburg Wine Cellar, a sushi counter run by Chef Danny Chan, a meat department that creates signature sausages in-house, and a deli menu of restaurant quality.

For luncheon reservations, call IRMA’s Chicago office at 312/726-4600 by Friday, Sept. 2. Checks ($85 per person or $750 for a table of 10) may be made payable to the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and mailed to 19 S. LaSalle St., Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60603.

The event will begin with a reception at 11:30 a.m. and lunch at 12 noon on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago.

To make reservations, call IRMA’s Chicago office at 312/726-4600 by Friday, Sept. 2. Checks ($85 per person or $750 for a table of 10) may be made payable to the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and mailed to 19 S. LaSalle St., Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60603.

The annual award is given to a retailer not only successful in business, but committed to community and civic affairs and respected in the industry.

A family-owned and operated business since 1950, Potash Markets is a full-service grocery with three locations in downtown Chicago. They offer personalized service in the near north (875 N. State St.) and Gold Coast (1525 N. Clark St.) neighborhoods of Chicago as well as in the John Hancock Center.

“On behalf of the members of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA), we are proud to stand with Governor Quinn today as he signs the first meaningful reform of Illinois’ workers’ compensation reform system in the last 35 years,” said IRMA President & CEO David F. Vite.

“While there may be critics, this clearly moves reform significantly down the road and sends the message that Illinois is serious about economic development.”

The legislation, which is expected to provide at least $500 million in annual savings to the employer community, was the result of intense negotiations over many months and the dedication and persistence of many in Springfield.

Vite thanked the Governor, Senate President John Cullerton, House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, and the members of the Illinois General Assembly who voted in favor of this legislation.

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IRMA represents 20,000 stores of all sizes and merchandise lines across the state. As one of the leading business organizations in Springfield, IRMA also is respected for its representation of the state’s business community, as well as serving as the voice of retailing in the Illinois General Assembly.

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton and Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan announced the review of the business tax structure on Thursday. Input will be sought from various business groups from throughout the state, including IRMA.

“Illinois Retail Merchants Association members are pleased to see the continued concern from all the legislative leaders and the Governor regarding the state of Illinois’ business climate and, in particular, its business tax climate,” IRMA President & CEO David F. Vite said.

“Our hope is that through this process, Illinois will become a job-friendly state so all Illinoisans can prosper.”

IRMA represents more than 20,000 member stores of all sizes and merchandise types throughout the state. The organization has served as an advocate for the retailing community in Illinois since 1957.

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After Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed a new law requiring Amazon, Overstock and other out-of-state online retailers to collect sales taxes, the companies said they would stop accepting referrals from, or paying commissions to, Illinois businesses.

The website – www.standwithmainstreet.com – is hosted by the Alliance for Main Street Fairness and serves as a clearinghouse to bring these retailers and affiliates together.

“By using this website, affiliates who were left out in the cold by Amazon and Overstock can find retailers who want their business, while ensuring a smooth transition for consumers and businesses alike,” said IRMA President & CEO David F. Vite.

Major Illinois retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Sears, Home Depot and Wal-Mart have stepped up and demonstrated a commitment to the viability of the state’s economy by offering to work with these affiliates. Affiliates that sign up online will be contacted by the companies participating in the project and will have the opportunity to explore relationships with several new business partners.

“We are pleased to collaborate with IRMA and the Alliance for Main Street Fairness in providing Illinois affiliates with this opportunity to easily connect with retailers to keep their business growing,” said Warren Ribley, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. “This program demonstrates the commitment by brick-and-mortar retailers and the Quinn Administration to ensure tax fairness and provide consumers with the best options available as we work to create jobs and revitalize the state’s economy.”

Gov. Quinn recently signed legislation dubbed the “E-Fairness Law” correcting a long-standing problem where out-of-state businesses were skipping out on collecting sales tax on purchase made online by Illinois residents. The law levels the playing field by protecting taxpayers, ensuring state government collects the tax revenue it deserves and helps strengthen the economy and protect and create jobs.

Retail Day 2011, part of the Business Day 2011 event, will be hosted by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association in conjunction with the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center in Springfield.

The program starts with a noon Luncheon at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and concludes with an evening reception offering live music, food and drink and a chance to meet casually with legislators and fellow business leaders.

Because of the state’s poor fiscal situation, it is especially important for retailers to attend en masse to fight for their business interests. Issues currently under discussion may be quite different than issues under consideration in May. To keep abreast of retail-related legislative issues between now and May, read IRMA’s legislative newsletter, This Week in Springfield.

To register for Retail Day, contact IRMA at 1-800-572-5044 or email dbasowski@irma.org. Individual registrations are $85 per person. Meeting and hotel registration deadline is Tuesday, April 12. A limited number of rooms are available at a group rate of $102.99 per night at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center. Ask for group code “IRMA” and call 866/788-1860 for room reservations.