The Retail Council of New York State has launched RetailNewYork.com, an online directory for independent Main Street merchants of all sorts from throughout the state.
“Their stores might be closed for now, but they’re open for online and phone orders and ready to ship right to your door,” said Council President and CEO Ted Potrikus. “We want to fill the site with contact information for stores of every sort. These are the Main Street merchants who need our support.”
“While we’re all waiting it out indoors, RetailNewYork is a great way to find your favorite stores and work out some retail therapy,” he said.
The council is also asking shoppers to support their local businesses by going online and leaving a review, referring a friend, or liking, commenting on or sharing the business’ social media links.
Listing on the directory is free for Retail Council members and, through at least Aug. 31, for stores that are not yet members of the statewide association, Potrikus said.
For more information about membership, visit rcnys.com.
“RetailNewYork gives visibility to those stores that you might not immediately think of when you’re shopping online,” said Potrikus. “We want to help businesses get customers through the door, even if it’s a virtual door for now. We hope shoppers will use RetailNewYork.com as their resource to Shop New York.”
With more than one million retail establishments and nearly 15 million employees, the retail industry is one of the most important in the U.S., officials said. The economic health of the retail industry, and ultimately its ability to provide millions of jobs and desired goods and services at reasonable prices, depends in large part on the regulatory environment within which it must operate.
The Council released this New York State data:
• Annual retail sales exceed $251 billion.
• Retailers employ more than 941,000 workers in more than 77,000 establishments, also partnering with state and local governments as key entry-level employers for job training and opportunity programs throughout the state.
• Retailing has a payroll of more than $31 billion.
• Retail sales account for 20 percent of the taxable sales and purchases in the state’s tax base.
• Retailers large and small provide donations of cash, merchandise, and/or facilities to support community groups, schools, and other organizations in the villages, towns and cities where they do business.
