Renée Sunde Announces Retirement as President & CEO of Washington Retail Association

The Washington Retail Association (WR) announced Wednesday, August 6, 2025, that Renée Sunde, President and CEO, will retire effective December 10, 2025, following eight years of transformative leadership.

Sunde joined WR at a pivotal time for the retail industry, as e-commerce and digital innovation were rapidly reshaping consumer expectations and business models. Under her guidance, the Association navigated an era of significant organizational and industry evolution, emerging as a stronger, more agile voice for retailers.

“Renée’s leadership has been defined by vision, resilience, and a strong commitment to the retail community,” said Opio Dupree, Chair of the WR Board of Directors and Senior Director of Government Affairs for Macy’s Inc. “She guided the association through significant industry transformation and the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic with clarity and purpose. Under her leadership, WR became a powerful and effective voice for retailers in legislative and regulatory arenas across Washington State.”

Sunde provided steady leadership as WR forged strong public-private partnerships to address pressing challenges such as public safety, retail theft, and organized retail crime. Under her leadership, the Association expanded its statewide influence, deepened stakeholder engagement, and advanced impactful advocacy on critical issues affecting the retail sector, including economic resilience and regulatory reform. 

IN THIS ISSUE

ON THE LOCAL FRONT

• Seattle City Council selects former Councilmember for District 5 vacancy
• Longview facility will advance organic food management goals for retail grocers
• Seattle City Council updates ordinances addressing public safety and graffiti
• Op-Ed: Enough is enough: Washington’s independent restaurants deserve breathing room
• DoorDash raises fees in Seattle, citing impact of city regulations

POLICY

• Deadline approaches for compliance with Washington’s Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act
• Key bills effective July 27, 2025
• Public testimony highlights growing concerns over workers’ bill of rights

ECONOMY

• Washington eyes budget challenges amid federal Medicaid shifts
• Seattle Metro Tops U.S. Inflation Rankings
• Washington Drops to 14th in CNBC’s top states for business

POLITICAL NEWS

• Retail Action Council Board announces recent local election endorsements

RETAIL THEFT & PUBLIC SAFETY

• Macy’s Tukwila tour strengthens ORC collaboration efforts
• Study reveals widespread underreporting of retail theft

IN THE NEWS

• Highlights from the 2025 PNWER Annual Summit
• Boost your workforce with customized training funds at Clover Park
• NRF Unveils 2025 Top 100 Retailers List

Image: City of Seattle

Seattle City Council selects former Councilmember for District 5 vacancy

After narrowing the list of potential appointees from 22 to 6 on July 17, the City Council appointed former Councilmember Debora Juarez eleven days later to fill the open District 5 seat until the voters choose a successor in the November 2026 election.

The opening was created by the decision of Councilmember Cathy Moore to resign from the Council for health reasons on July 7, 2025. The Council had 21 days to make an appointment and made the appointment of Juarez on the final day, July 28.

Juarez was first elected to represent District 5 in 2015, the first election with council districts. After winning reelection in 2019, Juarez was elected Council President by her colleagues in 2022. She did not seek reelection to a third term in 2023.

During her 8 years on the Council, Juarez was a moderate who was very focused on the needs of her district. Her accomplishments included convincing Sound Transit to add a light rail station at 130th NE and successfully persuading the Seattle Kraken to build its practice rinks at Northgate.

The other finalists for the appointment were Nilu Jenks (who received one vote), James M. Bourey, Katy Haima, Julie Kang, and Robert D. Wilson.

Longview facility will advance organic food management goals for retail grocers

With the enactment of multiple organic food management laws in 2022 and 2024, WR has actively engaged in both the legislative process and ongoing rulemaking. As part of these efforts, the Government Affairs team toured DIVERT, Inc.’s new facility under construction in Longview, the first commercial-scale anaerobic digestion plant of its kind in Washington State, now slated to open in early 2026.

While composting inedible food has long been the dominant process, anaerobic digestion offers an alternative that generates renewable biogas as a byproduct. DIVERT’s Longview facility will not only convert inedible food into renewable biogas, which will be directly piped into the regional gas utility for industrial use, but also leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to help major grocery retailers reduce food waste at the source. The insights will guide purchasing decisions and improve donation of edible food to food banks, advancing both prevention and diversion goals.

This site visit enhanced understanding of how retail grocers can meet state and local requirements with operational flexibility and cost efficiency. As food waste prevention and landfill diversion remain top priorities for policymakers and our members, WR will continue advocating for cost-effective, scalable solutions that align with these goals.

Seattle City Council updates ordinances addressing public safety and graffiti

The Seattle City Council recently passed two ordinances aimed at improving public safety by updating the city’s chronic nuisance property law and increasing penalties for graffiti-related offenses.

The revised nuisance property ordinance expands the police chief’s authority and increases financial penalties for property owners tied to repeated criminal or public health-related incidents. A property now qualifies as a chronic nuisance if at least three incidents occur within 60 days or seven within a year. Daily fines were raised to $750, and noncompliance penalties increased to $37,500. Additional amendments broaden the definition of nuisance activity and ensure actual criminal activity is confirmed before action is taken. Social service nonprofits are exempt from certain provisions.

In a separate vote, the Council approved a new $1,500 civil penalty for each graffiti tag that can be linked to an individual, in addition to potential misdemeanor or felony charges. An amendment allows fines to be converted into community service and makes penalties retroactive for up to three years.

Both ordinances passed with strong majorities, though concerns were raised about implementation costs and fairness. The mayor has 10 days to sign the legislation, which would take effect 30 days later.

Op-Ed: Enough is enough: Washington’s independent restaurants deserve breathing room

The Center Square 

July 22, 2025 

Opinion: By Jared Nieuwenhuis | Bellevue City Council

About this commentary: The opinions expressed by the authors are their own and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the entire Bellevue City Council.

Across Washington state, family-run restaurants aren’t just places to eat—they’re places of memory, culture, and community. From the teriyaki shops anchoring Seattle neighborhoods to diners in Wenatchee and noodle bars in Spokane, these local treasures carry the flavors of tradition and immigrant ingenuity. But today, they’re being buried under a mountain of regulations, taxes, and fees.

Running a restaurant has never been an easy task. However, it’s now becoming nearly impossible. Owners navigate shifting health standards, absorb staggering utility increases, pay ballooning payroll taxes, and field new reporting mandates with barely a moment’s notice. Just as they recover from pandemic-era losses, they’re hit with fresh burdens—not backed by data or practicality, but by a system indifferent to their reality.

High labor costs—especially in Seattle, where the minimum wage is now $20.76—combined with inflation driving up the costs of food, rent, utilities, and insurance, are squeezing profits. In 2023, the average profit margin for restaurants in Washington was just 1.5%. Even the busiest spots are barely staying afloat. And on top of everything, some restaurant owners are also facing break-ins and theft, which add another layer of expense, with repairs and stolen inventory hitting owners already operating on razor-thin margins.

DoorDash raises fees in Seattle, citing impact of city regulations

DoorDash has announced another increase in service fees for Seattle customers, pointing to the city’s regulations for app-based workers as the driving factor. The company, which reported $3 billion in revenue during the first quarter of 2025, says it is operating at a loss in Seattle due to local labor laws, including a guaranteed minimum payment of $5.20 per offer for delivery drivers.

City rules also require a 14-day notice for driver deactivations and outline transparency requirements that are currently under investigation by the Seattle Office of Labor Standards. Officials say these protections have received positive feedback from gig workers, though DoorDash and others argue the regulations increase operational costs and reduce order volume.

Since the law took effect, DoorDash says average store revenue in Seattle dropped by 2%, while similar cities saw double-digit growth. The company claims delivery workers have seen their average hourly earnings decline by more than 20% since late 2023.

As the city and companies navigate compliance and cost concerns, businesses and workers alike are feeling the effects. DoorDash says it will continue adjusting its pricing to maintain service in what it now calls the most expensive market for delivery in the country.

Deadline approaches for compliance with Washington’s Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act

Retailers, distributors, and cosmetologists operating in Washington have until December 31, 2025, to sell or use existing inventory that does not meet the requirements of the state’s Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (TFCA). The law restricts nine chemicals and chemical classes from use in cosmetic products sold, distributed, or used in Washington.

Starting January 1, 2025, any new products purchased for use or resale must comply with the TFCA. Businesses are encouraged to review product ingredient lists and communicate with manufacturers and distributors to confirm compliance. Retailers and distributors should request documentation or attestations from manufacturers verifying that products meet the law’s standards.

Cosmetologists should also ensure the products they purchase and use are compliant. Buying products from Washington-based suppliers and reviewing the TFCA Guide can help ensure adherence to the law.

The Department of Ecology offers technical assistance and resources for businesses navigating compliance. For more information, access the TFCA Guide or contact ToxicFreeCosmetics@ecy.wa.gov.

Key bills effective July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025, brought significant changes for businesses, consumers, and communities across Washington. The latest legislative session introduced a series of impactful laws.

Public testimony highlights growing concerns over workers’ bill of rights

On July 22, employers, workers, and nonprofit leaders from Olympia and Tacoma voiced concerns about the recently certified initiatives that will raise the minimum wage and impose complex workplace rules on all employers, going far beyond Seattle’s labor standards, which apply only to retail and hospitality sectors.

Testimony at the two council meetings reflected a wide range of concerns: 

• An in-home senior care franchisee stated that his 40-employee size small business will be unfairly categorized as a large employer. In addition, healthcare and emergency care scheduling cannot conform to the 2-week scheduling mandates without raising costs for vulnerable populations.  
• A local restaurant owner said the rules would “take the oxygen out of the business” by removing staffing flexibility.  
• A 15-year-old worker shared that the 10-hour rest rule would limit her ability to work on weekends.  
• A local nonprofit representative said rising labor costs will force them to drastically limit their meal and shelter services for the unhoused and low-income residents.  
• Many urged councils to adopt the initiative immediately in Olympia, stating that small businesses have time to comply and employees retain negotiation power.

Though nearly identical in content, each city’s authority differs. Olympia’s council could only adopt the measure or send it to the ballot. On July 22, they voted to place it on the November ballot to give voters more time. Tacoma’s council has broader authority to revise the proposal before referring it to voters. No action has been taken yet.

WR will continue supporting impacted members and informing voters ahead of the election.

Washington eyes budget challenges amid federal Medicaid shifts

Washington state is facing a potential budget shortfall by 2027, with projections showing a deficit by 2028 despite recent increases in both taxes and revenue. At the center of the conversation is the federal Big Beautiful Bill, which adjusts Medicaid eligibility and could affect state healthcare funding.

Governor Bob Ferguson’s administration has cited the bill as a contributor to what has been called the state’s most significant budget crisis. However, some lawmakers suggest the focus on federal policy overlooks internal fiscal decisions. Senator Ron Muzzall, the ranking member of the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee, emphasized the role of state-level spending growth and a lack of reserves.

Washington’s operating budget has more than doubled since the 2013–15 biennium, driven largely by increases in Medicaid and long-term care costs. Recent state-funded expansions have included coverage for undocumented residents, adding $150 million in spending this biennium.

The 2026 legislative session is expected to bring tough fiscal decisions. As lawmakers prepare, discussions continue about balancing federal impacts with the need for long-term budget discipline.

Seattle Metro Tops U.S. Inflation Rankings

The Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma region is experiencing the highest inflation pressure among major U.S. metro areas, according to a new WalletHub report. The analysis compared Consumer Price Index data across 23 metropolitan regions, highlighting short and long-term inflation trends.

In the past two months alone, prices in the Seattle area rose 1.4 percent. Year-over-year, overall inflation hit 2.7 percent, with food prices increasing 4.8 percent and energy costs climbing 5 percent. The largest recent increases were seen in food and restaurant expenses, along with gasoline prices.

Seattle’s rising inflation may be influenced by a range of economic factors. These include higher wages, such as the city’s current minimum wage of $20.76, and recent changes to state gas and diesel taxes. Washington residents also face some of the nation’s highest grocery prices, ranking fourth in the U.S., behind only California, Nevada, and Mississippi.

Experts note that broader forces like federal spending and economic overheating also play a role. While debates continue around potential future tariffs and policy impacts, current inflation is being driven more by consumer demand and supply pressures than by any single political factor.

Retailers and consumers alike are encouraged to monitor these changes as the region continues to navigate an evolving economic landscape.

The full WalletHub report can be viewed here.

Washington Drops to 14th in CNBC’s top states for business

Washington has dropped to 14th place in CNBC’s annual rankings of the top states for business, falling out of the top 10 for the first time in several years. This marks a notable decline from previous standings, including a No. 2 spot in 2022 and a No. 10 ranking in 2023. The state was ranked No. 1 in 2017.

Despite continuing to score well in key areas such as technology, innovation, and workforce quality, Washington’s ranking was negatively affected by high costs of living and the expense of doing business. CNBC’s analysis pointed to factors like elevated worker wages and the cost of office space as contributing elements.

In contrast, states like North Carolina, Texas, Florida, Virginia, and Ohio led this year’s rankings. The findings underscore ongoing challenges for Washington’s business climate, especially in affordability and operational costs. These insights may prompt renewed discussions on how to maintain the state’s competitive edge while addressing cost-related concerns.

Retail Action Council Board announces recent local election endorsements

The WR Retail Action Council Committee has recently approved a round of endorsements, this time focusing on key local elections critical to Washington’s retail and business community.

Endorsements were determined using several key factors, including candidates’ performance on WR’s Consumer Affordability Scorecard, their demonstrated commitment to economic growth, public safety, and job creation, as well as their active engagement with WR’s Government Affairs team and responsiveness to business community priorities.

Here are the newly endorsed candidates:

Macy’s Tukwila tour strengthens ORC collaboration efforts

Last week, the Washington Retail Association (WR) team, including Board Member and Southcenter General Manager Navdeep Singh, CEO Renée Sunde, Director of Policy & Government Affairs Crystal Leatherman, and Senior Executive Legislative Assistant Kathie Davies, visited Macy’s at Westfield Southcenter in Tukwila for a behind-the-scenes tour and strategy session focused on addressing organized retail crime (ORC).

WR extends sincere thanks to Store Manager Cameron Aman and her team for their warm hospitality, and to Dermot Fitzsimons, Senior Manager of Asset Protection and Public Sector Liaison, for facilitating the visit. Macy’s Asset Protection team, Rebecca Higbee, Christian Bird, and Christopher DiFonzo, showcased cutting-edge loss prevention technologies and robust merchandise protection strategies.

The tour brought together key partners, including prosecuting attorneys from the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and the City of Tukwila. The session fostered meaningful dialogue around collaborative approaches to combating ORC and reaffirmed a shared commitment to action through the newly established public-private partnership between the Washington State AG’s Office and Washington Retail Association.

At the conclusion of the visit, Renée Sunde and Tienney Milner, Chief of the Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Section, invited Macy’s Asset Protection team to join the monthly ORC Task Force meetings. Macy’s will share how their investigative techniques and advanced technology are being used to disrupt ORC networks and dismantle fencing operations. 

Retailers across the state are encouraged to participate in the monthly ORC Task Force meetings, a valuable platform to increase transparency, enhance intelligence-sharing, identify repeat offenders, and strengthen the overall impact of these efforts statewide.

“It’s inspiring to see such dedication and innovation on the ground level. We look forward to continuing to partner with Macy’s and other retailers to address ORC head-on. Thank you to everyone who shared their expertise and ideas; this type of collaboration is critical to creating safer, more vibrant retail environments.” — Renée Sunde, WR CEO

WR is proud to support these vital partnerships and remains committed to building safer retail environments and more resilient communities.

For more information about WR’s ORC and public safety initiatives, or to join the ORC Task Force calls, please contact Crystal Leatherman at cleatherman@washingtonretail.org.

Study reveals widespread underreporting of retail theft

New research from the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) highlights a growing gap between reported retail theft incidents and the actual number of crimes occurring in stores. A study led by Professor Julie Hibdon of Southern Illinois University found that, while external theft in retail has risen significantly, the rate of incidents reported to law enforcement has dropped by nearly half since 2019.

This discrepancy is due in part to factors such as staffing shortages in both law enforcement and retail, evolving crime tactics, and burdensome reporting processes. Some retailers also fear straining relationships with police or facing penalties for excessive reporting. Additionally, policy changes and the use of case consolidation in organized retail crime investigations can further obscure the true scope of theft.

RILA’s findings reinforce what many retailers have long believed: retail theft is increasing, but official crime data fails to reflect it. The report calls for improved collaboration between retailers and law enforcement, consistent reporting guidelines, better online reporting tools, and greater support from technology providers. Accurate data is essential to informing public safety responses, resource allocation, and policy decisions that support safer retail environments.

Highlights from the 2025 PNWER Annual Summit

The 34th Annual Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) Summit took place July 20–24, 2025, bringing together over 600 leaders from across the U.S. and Canada in Bellevue, Washington. Renée Sunde, President & CEO of the Washington Retail Association, proudly served on the event’s Host Committee.

This year’s summit was held at a pivotal time for cross-border relations, with escalating trade tensions threatening long-standing economic partnerships in areas like agriculture, automotive, and tourism. Canadian and U.S. delegates, including elected officials, business leaders, and diplomats, used the event to tackle urgent trade issues and advocate for policies that support a resilient and mutually beneficial regional economy.

Key discussions included:

• The future of North American beef trade, which is under threat from proposed tariffs. 
• Rising diplomatic strain, highlighted by sharp comments from U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, and calls for de-escalation from regional leaders.
• Maintaining cooperation on critical industries like potash, tech, and mineral exports, and ensuring frictionless border travel ahead of events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Despite national-level tensions, the PNWER Summit served as a vital platform for collaboration, innovation, and problem-solving, reinforcing the Northwest’s deep economic interdependence and commitment to building a stronger, unified future.

Sunde joined 24 other attendees on an exclusive tour inside Microsoft’s Cybercrime Center. The experience offered a compelling look at the vast and rapidly evolving landscape of cybercrime, both nationally and globally.

"The tour was absolutely eye-opening," said Renée Sunde. "Witnessing firsthand the scale and sophistication of cyber threats—and the technologies being deployed to fight them—was both staggering and inspiring. It underscored just how critical cybersecurity is to every aspect of our modern lives."

Cyber crime tour video

Boost your workforce with customized training funds at Clover Park

Washington businesses have a unique opportunity to enhance employee skills through the state’s Customized Training Program (CTP), which currently has approximately $79,000 in available funding. Administered by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, this program helps businesses cover the upfront cost of customized employee training provided by institutions like Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) Corporate Education.

Eligible businesses, those located in Washington and paying B&O tax, can partner with a qualified training provider to access support for technical training, leadership development, communication, and more. Training can be delivered in person, virtually, or in a hybrid format to best meet the needs of employers and their teams.

Repayment terms are interest-free, and participating companies benefit from a B&O tax credit equal to 50% of each payment made. Businesses pay 25% upon completion of training, with the remaining balance spread over 18 months.

Training is tailored to each company’s specific goals and is led by experienced industry professionals. Examples of past clients include JM Smucker, True Linkswear, and Psomas. 

For more details, contact Don Sosnowski at donald.sosnowski@cptc.edu or Steven Kovacs at steven.kovacs@cptc.edu.

NRF Unveils 2025 Top 100 Retailers List

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has released its 2025 list of the Top 100 Retailers, compiled by Kantar and ranked by 2024 U.S. retail sales. This year’s list reflects a mix of stability and adaptation, with companies continuing to evolve alongside shifting consumer behaviors and economic changes.

Walmart remains in the top spot with $568.70 billion in U.S. retail sales, followed by Amazon, Costco Wholesale, The Kroger Co., and The Home Depot. While the top 13 companies stayed the same, some repositioning occurred, including Target moving from No. 7 to No. 8 and Walgreens Boots Alliance rising to No. 7.

Several trends influenced this year’s rankings. Drugstores, like Rite Aid, saw notable declines due to reduced front-store spending, while demand for pet-related products leveled off post-pandemic. PetSmart and Petco both saw either flat or declining sales and store counts.

NRF notes that this year’s list highlights not just sales performance, but also the resilience and flexibility of top retailers in the face of economic shifts and evolving consumer demands.