WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation (NRF) announced this week the formation of the Small Business Retail Council to organize, recruit and engage Main Street merchants and independent community retailers in grassroots advocacy activities. According to an NRF press release, the Council will represent and be responsive to the needs, concerns and interests of local shops and provide the association’s small business members with a forum to discuss the most pressing public policy issues and priorities.

“We are bringing together some of the retail sector’s best small business leaders to build upon their integral role in drafting and shaping public policy,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said in a press release announcing the council. “Working with our state retail association partners, we hope to amplify the voice of small retailers in advancing the retail community’s agenda. The Small Business Retail Council will enhance and strengthen the partnership between small business owners and NRF, and optimize industry engagement on our common goals.”

The Small Business Retail Council will consist of two co-chairs that will lead a five-to-seven member steering committee that will identify priorities, propose strategies and solutions, and participate in the coordination of grassroots advocacy. Membership on the Council will be comprised of independent retailers from around the country as well as small retailers that currently serve on the NRF Board of Directors. The announcement was made during this week’s Retail Advocates Summit, NRF’s annual congressional fly-in event.