Workforce

Our Focus

The retail industry is a window into the American workforce. As the nation’s largest private sector employer, retail supports more than 52 million American jobs throughout our diverse ecosystem. Retail workers represent all types of people, in all types of roles, experience, education, and skills, in all phases of their lives. Retail is for everyone; it is the place for a first job, a second chance, a third act, or a side hustle – the retail workforce is truly representative of the American workforce.

Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act)

PRO Act is a return to antiquated thinking about work. Retailers are advocating for a modern policy fostering innovation & preserving employee rights.

Growing the 21st Century Retail Workforce

RILA advocates for forward-thinking workplace policies at the state and federal level that reflect the needs of a large and diverse workforce.

Creating a Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Workforce

RILA is devoted to ensuring retailers have access to the tools, research, and benchmarking to improve policies around DE&I.

Employing DACA Beneficiaries and Access to H-1B Visas

RILA is an unwavering supporter of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and continues to advocate for a permanent solution.

Preserving Existing Benefits and Creating New Opportunities

RILA members are at the forefront of developing new innovative approaches designed to encourage preventative health, improve outcomes, and lower costs

Retail Opportunities

RILA recently surveyed our members to learn more about the opportunities for work and career advancement that exist in retail.

Retail is for Everyone

The retail industry prides itself on providing opportunities to people from all walks of life, at any stage in their career -#retailis4Everyone.

Retail Talent Pipeline

Explore activities that allow RILA members to connect to a diverse, skilled and innovative workforce.

Workforce Committees

Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, providing opportunity for all. RILA advocates for sound policies that support diversity, flexibility, upward mobility, and the power to choose one’s own path.

View All Committees

Upcoming Meetings

Labor and Employment Committee Meeting

May 20, 2025
Washington, DC

Labor Activity in Retail (2022)

RILA and IRI Consultants 2022 report provides data around the rate and growth of labor activity in 2021 and outlines key strategies to help leading retailers address workforce challenges.

Read Report