Issue 9.08
February 24, 2023
Uniquely Positioned
Delaware is unique in many ways but one important factor that separates Delaware from its neighbors Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland is that it has no sales tax. In fact, Delaware is one of only five states in the country without a sales tax. The others are Alaska, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. So, why is this important? It makes Delaware an attractive place to buy goods, and individuals travel from surrounding states to shop here because their money goes further. Read more >

DELAWARE RETAIL BY THE NUMBERS:
154,400
jobs supported by retail 
12,400
retail establishments
$11.2B
total GDP impact
102,400
direct retail employment
$3.1B
direct labor income
$4.1B
direct impact on GDP
FAST FACT: Delaware's retail industry
supports 26% of the state's jobs
NRF IN WASHINGTON: A LOOK AHEAD FOR 2023
KEY ADVOCACY PRIORITIES FOR THE YEAR TO COME
By the National Retail Federation

The National Retail Federation achieved several key policy priorities in the tightly divided 117th Congress. Over the past two years, the retail community helped drive the passage of a major infrastructure package, much-needed reforms to ocean shipping supply chains, long-overdue modernization of the U.S. Postal Service, a rail labor agreement that prevented a shutdown of the freight system, and increased transparency requirements for online marketplaces.

While these successes and accomplishments moved the retail industry forward, major priorities remain that NRF will look to advance as the new Congress begins. Read more >
ORGANIZED
RETAIL CRIME

Organized retail crime is the large-scale theft of retail merchandise with the intent to resell the items for financial gain. Read more >
SUPPLY CHAIN INFRASTRUCTURE

The lack of infrastructure investment is reducing
U.S. competitiveness in
the global economy.
SWIPE FEES

Together, credit and
debit card swipe fees cost retailers and their
customers more than
$100 billion a year.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
O'ROURKE INVESTIGATIVE ASSOCIATES

Michael T. O’Rourke arrived in
the First State in 1976 as an active duty airman at Dover Air Force Base and has been here ever since,
noting there is “no better place
to live, work, and raise a family
than Delaware.” O’Rourke noticed
a void of private investigators in Delaware and quickly jumped
on the opportunity. Founded in
1998, O’Rourke Investigative Associates was on a mission to
serve the diverse clientele in Delaware. Read more >
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
FIRST

What began as a response to community needs arising from
a financial crisis in the 1880s, Children & Families First stands resilient today as one of Delaware’s oldest and most respected statewide nonprofit organizations. Providing support through evidence-based practice and innovative approaches, they live through the action of their commitment, one that empowers them to proudly and accurately
state, “Our name is our promise.” Read more >
President's Message
February is Black History Month, and as I write this, the temptation is to focus on decades old history. Instead, I’m going to focus on three recent Josiah Marvel Cup winners and remind everyone about the special accomplishments these individuals made to all Delawareans. Read more >
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
The State Chamber and BELFOR Property Restoration hosted an
evening mixer at Chase Fieldhouse during a Delaware Blue Coats game.
And yes, the dunk king Mac McClung was in the building!
In Case You Missed It
ADVERTISE WITH THE STATE CHAMBER
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Connect with Us
Upcoming Events
Networking Breakfast
at Buff City Soap

Wednesday, March 1
7:30 am - 9:00 am

4764 Limestone Rd.,
Wilmington
Chamber Leadership with Dr. Colleen Perry Keith
 
Tuesday, March 14
7:30 am - 9:00 am
 
University & Whist Club
805 N. Broom St., Wilmington
Spring Manufacturing & Policy Conference

Tuesday, March 28
9:00 am- 12:30 pm

Delaware Tech
Terry Campus
100 Campus Dr., Dover