by Board Retailers Association | Jul 13, 2021 | News, Political Action, Statistics
Dive Brief: This month, some 39 million households will begin receiving tax credit payments for each child under 18, a new relief program Cowen analysts called an “underappreciated catalyst for consumer spend” in a report this week. The program, part of President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats’ American Rescue Plan passed earlier this year, comes as the back-to-school shopping season ramps up and could benefit numerous retailers.Aimed at reducing child poverty, the checks could boost spending at food retailers, including Walmart and Target, according to Cowen. Also in line to benefit are Amazon and other e-commerce players, off-price retailers, and apparel and footwear sellers, analysts said. Dive Insight: The nearly $2 trillion American Rescue Plan has already helped prop up retail sales with checks that went out to more than 160 million Americans earlier this year. Together with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the stimulus helped retailers across numerous sectors recover from the crisis year of 2020 when stores closed, the economy stumbled and customers avoided physical stores. The $150 billion child tax credit program that begins in July will add more cash to consumers’ pocketbooks. The payments total out to $3,600 per child under six per year, and $3,000 per child over age six for couples making up to $150,000 and single parents making up to $112,500. That sum is dispersed in monthly payments throughout the year. Chris Krueger of Cowen’s Washington Research Group called it a “huge policy change” that is “universal basic income for low-middle income parents.” The checks start rolling out as the back-to-school season ramps up. That could lift sales at softlines retailers, among others. Cowen analyst John Kernan said in the report that if...
by Board Retailers Association | Mar 5, 2021 | Political Action, Surf, Sustainability
Surfrider Foundation is asking for businesses in the surf and outdoor industry to join together to urge federal leadership to protect our nation’s coasts and ocean. Surfrider has launched a national sign-on letter for businesses to urge the Biden Administration and 117th Congress to take action on 3 priority areas: Take Action to Address the Climate Change CrisisStop the Flow of Plastic Pollution into the OceanProtect Clean Water for All People Ocean and Great Lakes recreation and tourism are major economic drivers in the United States, generating over $129 billion annually for our nation’s GDP. Federal leadership is urgently needed to protect valuable marine and coastal ecosystems, as well as the businesses and communities that depend on these public resources. It’s critical that federal leaders hear from our industry. Please consider adding your business to the letter. ADD YOUR BUSINESS TO THE LETTER. Thank you! – Surf Expo Management and Staff “As part of its commitment to our ocean environment, SIMA has partnered with the Surfrider Foundation to help shape public policy at the state and federal level. The threats facing our nation’s coasts and ocean have never been greater, which is why our voice is so important. The U.S. surf and outdoor industries depend on the protection of our nation’s public lands and waters, including beaches, watersheds and marine ecosystems that are vital public resources for ocean recreation and tourism. The Surfrider Foundation has launched a national sign-on letter for businesses to urge the Biden Administration and 117th Congress to take action on 3 priority areas: climate change, plastic pollution, and clean water. Please consider adding your business to the letter....
by Board Retailers Association | Sep 22, 2020 | Educational Opportunity, Industry, Political Action, Snowboard, Social Issues, Sustainability
According to the film’s description, Purple Mountains is, “One man’s journey to find common ground in the mountains — one voter at a time.” That one man is snowboarding legend Jeremy Jones. Jones is one of the greatest freeriders of all time, helping to pioneer professional big mountain snowboarding (especially human-powered big mountain snowboarding). More recently, he’s also made a name for himself as a climate activist. In 2007 Jeremy founded Protect Our Winters (POW), a nonprofit dedicated to activating the outdoor sports community in the fight against climate change, and in 2010 he swore off using helicopters and snowcats, making a personal commitment to earning his turns. Named for the need to influence key swing states in the upcoming election (and perhaps an ode to the line from the song America the Beautiful), the film follows Jeremy on a journey to understand why the U.S. is so divided on climate change and how we can find common ground through the American love of the outdoors. In doing so he hopes to energize the ‘Outdoor State’ – the 50 million people in the U.S. who identify with the mountains, the rivers, and the sea. The film is a must watch for any American, especially those who fit the ‘Outdoors State’ description. As he was driving home after a surf trip to Santa Barbara, I grilled him about the film: What are your hopes for the movie? What do you want it to inspire in people or bring about as a result? It would be kinda naïve to think some far right climate denier will change their ways, but I’m hoping that someone...
