Welcome
The Illinois Retail Merchants Association is proud to present the 67th Annual Meeting and 2024 Retailer of the Year Luncheon, an event to celebrate retail in Illinois and the daily impact it makes for communities across the state.
Retail is an economic anchor for the State of Illinois and the local governments within it. Illinois’ retail industry is the second largest source of revenue for the state and the largest for units of local government, making it the single most significant economic engine in Illinois. Retail is central to the services state and local governments are able to provide for the public. Additionally, retail employs one out of every four Illinoisans and accounts for 16 percent of the state’s labor income.
Beyond the economic numbers, retailers are an integral part of our communities, and they provide the essential goods and services needed to live and thrive. The breadth and depth of retail is vast; it includes but is not limited to hardware stores, pharmacies, grocery stores, restaurants, convenience stores, entertainment facilities and lodging. If you buy any type of good or service, chances are it came from a retailer, large or small.
Furthermore, retailers generously support local charities, teams, parks, food banks, schools, and countless other programs, and continually engage their local communities. Retailers are the first to fill needs during natural disasters and at other times of need, often starting to provide aid well before government assistance arrives. Retailers are the cornerstones of every community they serve.
We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, October 3 in Chicago!
