Newsletter — August 14, 2025 | | |
Washington Retail Association Launches CEO Search Following Retirement Announcement of Renée Sunde
The Washington Retail Association (WR) announced the retirement of its President and CEO, Renée Sunde, marking the end of an impactful chapter of leadership and opening the door for a new era in the organization’s history. With Sunde’s planned departure in December 2025, WR has officially launched a national search for its next President & CEO—a rare and influential opportunity to lead one of the West Coast’s most respected trade associations at a time of transformation in the retail industry.
Renee Sunde has led the Association since 2017 and under her guidance, WR grew its statewide visibility and deepened its role as a trusted voice for retailers of all sizes and sectors.
As WR celebrates Sunde’s accomplishments, the association has launched the search for its next leader.WR is embarking on a national search to identify a dynamic and strategic leader to serve as its next President & CEO. This opportunity centers on guiding one of the West Coast’s premier trade associations as it enters a new era of impact, innovation, and growth.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates are invited to submit a resume and cover letter via the WR candidate web portal: washingtonretail.org/ceosearch.
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POLICY
ECONOMY
ON THE LOCAL FRONT
POLITICAL NEWS
RETAIL THEFT & PUBLIC SAFETY
IN THE NEWS
TRENDS
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WR engages at 2025 Washington State Tax Forum
WR’s Director of Policy & Government Affairs, Crystal Leatherman, represented the association at the 2025 Washington State Tax Forum. Hosted in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Revenue and tax professionals statewide, the event served as a key platform to discuss tax policy developments, compliance challenges, and best practices.
While at the conference, Crystal connected with Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne, Senator Noel Frame (D-36), and Representative April Berg (D-44). She reaffirmed WR’s active role in shaping policy conversations that impact Washington’s retail industry and advocating for balanced, business-friendly tax policies.
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Retailers roll out Halloween early amid tariff turmoil
Retailers are already unveiling their 2025 Halloween collections, but shoppers could see price shifts this year due in part to ongoing tariff impacts. Popular seasonal items, from Home Depot’s viral 12-foot skeleton to Anthropologie’s collectible tabletop pieces, are rolling out earlier than ever, with demand remaining strong despite potential cost pressures.
Tariffs on imported goods can affect many of the materials and finished products that make up these collections, from animatronics to home décor. Industry experts note that shipping, manufacturing, and supply chain costs tied to tariff policies may influence retail pricing as the season progresses.
Major retailers including HomeGoods, Michaels, Spirit Halloween, and Lowe’s have released signature pieces and themed lines, while online offerings continue to expand. Specialty items like Spirit Halloween’s new Jack the Reaper animatronic and Home Depot’s app-controlled Ultra Skelly are among the highlights.
While the variety and creativity of Halloween décor continue to grow, retailers and consumers alike are watching how trade policies and tariffs could shape availability and affordability in the coming months.
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Tariffs among key factors in Claire’s bankruptcy filing
Claire’s, a well-known accessories retailer with more than 2,750 stores worldwide, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States and plans to do the same in Canada. The company announced it will keep stores in North America open during the process but will close 18 U.S. locations as part of its restructuring plan.
In court filings, Claire’s cited a challenging commercial environment over the past several years, with tariffs playing a significant role in driving up operational costs. Additional pressures included inflation, shifting consumer spending habits, and increased competition from both traditional and online retailers. CEO Chris Cramer noted that these macroeconomic factors, combined with existing debt obligations, made this move necessary to stabilize the business.
Analysts say that tariffs have been particularly difficult for Claire’s to absorb, adding to financial strain while the retailer works to adjust to changing trends and reduced foot traffic in malls. The company is currently in discussions with potential strategic and financial partners and is evaluating the sale of some or all of its assets. The restructuring aims to lower debt and position Claire’s for future stability in a competitive retail market.
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Seattle voters to decide on business tax restructure
Seattle City Council has approved a proposal to overhaul the city’s business and occupation tax system, sending the measure to voters for a decision in November.
The “Seattle Shield Initiative” would exempt businesses earning up to $2 million annually from paying the B&O tax, up from the current $100,000 threshold. Companies exceeding the exemption would not pay tax on the first $2 million of gross revenue. City officials estimate that 76 percent of small- and medium-sized businesses would no longer owe the tax, while about 90 percent of all businesses would pay less than they do now.
Larger businesses would see higher rates. Retail, wholesale, and manufacturing companies above the threshold would pay 34 cents per $100 in revenue, up from 22 cents. Service companies would see an increase from 43 cents to 65 cents per $100.
The proposal is projected to generate an additional $80 million annually, with funds dedicated to human services, including programs addressing food insecurity, immigrant support, and substance abuse.
City leaders noted the measure would reduce the B&O tax base from about 21,000 taxpayers to 5,000, potentially affecting revenue predictability. If approved by voters, the changes would take effect in 2026.
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Progressive challengers sweep to big primary wins in Seattle
Voter dissatisfaction in Seattle carried progressive challengers to strong wins in the August 5 primary election. Challengers to Mayor Bruce Harrell, Council President Sara Nelson, and City Attorney Ann Davison staked a claim to leads in the first ballot count on primary election night and continued to expand their margins in subsequent ballot counts.
Transit Riders Union co-founder, Katie Wilson, grew her lead over Mayor Bruce Harrell from 1.3% on primary night to 9.5% on August 12. Dionne Foster, challenger to Council President Sara Nelson, has extended her lead from 14.6% to 23%. City Attorney Ann Davison suffered a similar fate, watching her challenger, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Erika Evans, build her from 13.9% to 22.4%.
What drove these strong results for the challengers? Voter frustration with housing affordability, public safety, and homelessness are considered the key issues with voters. Beyond the issues, voters seemed to seek out progressive challengers in races against moderate elected officials. In the City Attorney race, voters seem less willing to elect a Republican (Ann Davison) in very Democratic Seattle than they were four years ago.
In the race for King County Executive – an open race for the first time in 16 years – County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay grew his primary night lead over fellow County Councilmember Claudia Balducci from 10.1% to 14.2%. They both move on to the general election.
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Washington Primary election: Key races and early results
On August 5, 2025, Washington held its Primary Election. Of the state’s 4.4 million registered voters, just over 1.25 million ballots had been counted as of August 12.
One of the tightest races in the state is in the 26th Legislative District Senate contest, where Senator Deb Krishnadasan holds a razor-thin lead over Representative Michelle Caldier, 49.94% to 49.91%.
In other notable races, appointed lawmakers Senator Victoria Hunt (D–5 LD), Senator Vandana Slatter (D–48 LD), and Representative Edwin Obras (D–33 LD) are all maintaining early leads in their respective districts.
At this stage, all state-level candidates endorsed by WR’s Retail Action Council Committee and nearly all local government candidates endorsed by WR’s Local Government Election Committee are advancing to the general election.
A full, detailed update will be shared once results are certified at the end of the month.
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John Braun to run for Washington’s 3rd Congressional District
State Senate Minority Leader John Braun of Centralia has announced his candidacy for Washington’s 3rd Congressional District in the 2026 election. Braun has served in the Washington State Senate since 2013 and is president of Braun Northwest, an emergency vehicle manufacturing company founded by his family. He also served 31 years in the U.S. Navy, both on active and reserve duty.
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washougal has represented the district since 2023 and has raised more than $1.5 million toward her 2026 campaign. She co-owns an auto repair business and is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group in Congress that focuses on bipartisan and fiscally focused policies.
The 3rd Congressional District spans Southwest Washington and is expected to be closely watched in the upcoming election cycle. Several other candidates have also filed to run, and more are expected before the 2026 ballot deadline.
With both candidates bringing experience in public service and business ownership, the race is set to be an important contest for the region, offering voters distinct perspectives on issues affecting communities across Southwest Washington.
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New U.S. Chamber resource helps small businesses navigate recent tax changes
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has released a new resource to help small businesses understand and benefit from provisions in the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The legislation includes several tax measures designed to support small business growth and operations.
To make these changes easier to navigate, the U.S. Chamber has created a concise one-page guide outlining key provisions and how they may apply to small businesses. This resource is intended to provide business owners with straightforward information on available opportunities and potential savings, helping them make informed decisions for their operations.
The guide offers an accessible overview of the tax provisions and aims to reduce the complexity often associated with new legislation. Small business owners are encouraged to review the resource to identify ways they can make the most of the updates.
The U.S. Chamber’s Small Business Guide to the New Tax Law is available online for free. Business owners can access the guide here: Small Business Guide to New Tax Law.
This practical tool underscores the Chamber’s ongoing commitment to supporting small businesses by providing timely and relevant resources.
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Merchants welcome executive order on fair access to financial services
The Merchants Payments Coalition (MPC) has expressed support for a new executive order by President Donald Trump aimed at ensuring financial institutions provide equal access to services regardless of political beliefs, religious views, or lawful business practices.
MPC members say the order addresses longstanding concerns from merchants, fintech companies, cryptocurrency firms and other small businesses that face barriers in the payments market. They point to rising credit card swipe fees and limited competition among major networks like Visa and Mastercard, which together control most of the market.
According to industry data, swipe fees for Visa and Mastercard credit cards have quadrupled since 2010, reaching $111.2 billion last year. Total credit and debit card swipe fees were $187.2 billion, often the highest cost for merchants after labor. MPC believes greater competition could help reduce these expenses for businesses and consumers.
The order comes as Congress considers the Credit Card Competition Act, which would require large banks to allow credit card transactions to be processed over at least one alternative network. Supporters say this could enhance security, lower costs and save merchants and customers an estimated $17 billion annually without impacting rewards programs or card usage.
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Court ruling prompts review of debit card swipe fee regulations
A federal judge has ruled that the Federal Reserve’s 2011 cap on debit card “swipe” fees was set higher than intended by Congress, prompting calls for updated regulations. The decision came in a case brought by the Corner Post, a North Dakota convenience store, which argued that the rate exceeded what a 2010 law considered “reasonable” and “proportional” to banks’ costs.
Judge Daniel Traynor vacated the existing rules but placed the decision on hold during any appeal to avoid leaving the market unregulated. The ruling does not prevent the Fed from moving forward with its 2023 proposal to adjust the rate. That proposal would lower the base fee from 21 cents to 14.4 cents per transaction, adjust fraud loss and fraud prevention allowances, and is currently under consideration.
The Merchants Payments Coalition welcomed the decision, citing the potential to ease cost pressures for businesses and consumers. While merchants have saved an estimated $9 billion annually since the 2011 cap was introduced, swipe fees still totaled $38.7 billion in 2024. Industry leaders will be watching closely as the Federal Reserve considers next steps that could impact transaction costs nationwide.
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Walmart strengthens efforts to protect customers and sellers from retail crime
Walmart is expanding its efforts to safeguard customers and honest sellers from fraudulent activity in its online marketplace. The company is addressing the growing challenge of counterfeit products and deceptive sellers who undermine consumer trust.
Walmart has implemented a multi-layered enforcement system to prevent bad actors from entering or operating on its platform. Measures include thorough seller vetting, pre-listing restrictions on sensitive categories, AI-driven monitoring for policy compliance, rapid removal of violators, and tools for brand owners to flag issues. The retailer also offers customer-friendly policies such as convenient store-based returns for marketplace purchases.
In addition to internal safeguards, Walmart supports legislation such as the INFORM Consumers Act, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, and the SHOP SAFE Act. It collaborates with federal agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations to develop best practices, share intelligence, and strengthen enforcement.
Walmart works with industry organizations and state-level law enforcement to further combat organized retail crime. The company emphasizes that customer trust is key to the future of retail, and maintaining a secure, transparent, and fair marketplace benefits both shoppers and legitimate sellers.
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Get ready for the CSRA annual meeting in Chicago — August 25–28, 2025
The Council of State Retail Associations (CSRA) is proud to announce its Annual Meeting, taking place this year in Chicago, Illinois, the Windy City, from August 25 to 28, 2025. This signature event will bring together approximately 160 retail executives from across the country, including state retail association leaders and corporate government affairs professionals, for several days of collaboration, learning, and strategic discussion.
This year’s Annual Meeting will be chaired by Renée Sunde, President and CEO of the Washington Retail Association, who was elected Chairwoman of the CSRA in August 2024. Under Renée’s leadership, the conference will continue to strengthen the vital connections between state retail associations and their national retail partners, while spotlighting the most urgent issues and forward-looking strategies shaping the retail industry.
A major highlight of the program will be a dedicated workshop on succession planning and board leadership, led by Curtis Picard, CAE, President & CEO of the Retail Association of Maine. This session is designed to support SRA executives and boards in preparing for long-term leadership transitions and organizational sustainability.
Additional sessions throughout the meeting will cover a wide range of high-impact topics, including:
- Artificial Intelligence and its role in transforming retail operations
- The Future of Pharmacy: Sustaining Access and Advancing Care
- Navigating Evolving State Policies in the Food Industry
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and environmental regulations
SRA executives will also hear directly from corporate retail government affairs leaders who will share their top priority issue areas, ensuring alignment and strategic collaboration on policy matters across the industry.
The CSRA Annual Meeting is not only an opportunity to dig into complex legislative and regulatory issues, but also a time to build relationships, share best practices, and strengthen advocacy efforts on behalf of the retail sector.
We look forward to welcoming all participants to Chicago for this impactful gathering of retail leadership.
For more information, visit www.Councilsra.com.
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NRF unveils 2025 Hot 25 Fastest Growing Retailers
The National Retail Federation, in partnership with Kantar, has released its 2025 Hot 25 Retailers list, recognizing the fastest-growing retailers in the United States based on domestic sales growth from 2023 to 2024.
JD Sports secured the top spot with a 41.5 percent sales increase, driven by its 2024 acquisition of Hibbett and the addition of nearly 1,200 stores under the Hibbett, City Gear and Sports Addition brands. Primark ranked second with 30 percent growth, followed by Fast Retailing at 27.7 percent, Shell at 26.8 percent and Abercrombie & Fitch at 15.2 percent.
Amazon rejoined the list for the first time since 2021, placing 11th with 9.4 percent growth, reflecting gains across its physical stores, marketplace services and Whole Foods locations.
Newcomers to the 2025 list include Shell, Sprouts, QuikTrip, Muji, H Mart, ampm, 99 Ranch Market, Wawa, Festival Foods and CVS.
According to NRF and Kantar, these retailers have succeeded by expanding their presence, enhancing the customer experience, and investing in technology and employee training.
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Tractor Supply expands final-mile delivery to boost sales
Tractor Supply Company is enhancing its final-mile delivery capabilities to better serve its rural customer base and support sales growth. The retailer, which operates more than 2,300 stores nationwide, is hiring drivers and leasing pickup trucks and trailers to deliver larger items such as livestock feed and chicken coops directly to customers.
By fulfilling more orders from its stores, distribution centers, and regional mixing centers, Tractor Supply aims to improve delivery speed and efficiency. Chief Supply Chain Officer Colin Yankee noted that many rural locations are difficult for traditional delivery services to reach, making the company’s local presence a key advantage.
The expanded delivery program supports Tractor Supply’s goal of increasing digital and business-to-business sales. Digital sales have grown more than 340% over the past four years, surpassing $1 billion in 2024. The company targets 10% to 12% of total sales from its digital business by 2029, up from roughly 8% today.
In areas where enhanced delivery is available, Tractor Supply reports larger average orders, higher customer satisfaction, and greater repeat business. The company will continue working with third-party carriers for smaller orders while using its own fleet for bulk and oversized products.
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WR diversity statement
WR is committed to the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We strive to create a safe, welcoming environment in which these principles can thrive.
We value all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, identity, sexual orientation, nationality, or disability, and that is the foundation of our commitment to those we serve.
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Renée Sunde, President/CEO — 360.200.6450 — Email
Crystal Leatherman, Dir of Local & State Government Affairs — 360.200-6453 — Email
Rose Gundersen, VP of Retail Services — 360.200.6452 — Email
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