NRF Foundation Launches Online Resource
The NRF Foundation, the careers and education division of the Washington, D.C.-based National Retail Federation (NRF), has introduced the Retail Insight Center, a website designed to serve as a resource for researching industry, government, economic and consumer trends within the retail industry. The site is funded by audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG LLP.
The center will provide analysis and highlights of NRF’s consumer spending surveys; key government indicators relating to the economy, retail and employment; and other unique datasets in regard to retail companies, purchasing influencers and economic trends. Further, as a unique benefit of the center, the foundation will issue quarterly reports about industry topics. Available for visitors to download, the reports will offer an in-depth look at research on industry issues and trends.
“Over the years, the National Retail Federation has built a solid reputation as a key source for consumer, industry and government data as it relates to retail, and the Retail Insight Center now lets us package all of that valuable data into one place,” noted NRF Foundation executive eirector Ellen Davis. “The Retail Insight Center will offer retailers, the media and consumers instant access to some of the most important trends in retail careers and employment, holiday spending and insights into key economic indicators and influencers impacting consumers’ spending plans.”
“Understanding how outside influences impact retail spending is key to maintaining a successful business in the industry,” said Mark Larson, global retail leader at KPMG, noting that the aim of the resource was to provide “invaluable industry information to current and future business leaders.”
Powered by Prosper Insights & Analytics, the center is built with interactive features enabling users to customize and sort charts and graphs to fit their individual needs. The resource will tap data from various sources, among them the U.S. Census Department, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Department of Commerce, NRF’s unique research and BIGinsight. Additionally, the center offers consumer demographical information such as age, gender and region, which can be used to compile and download reports specific to individual research projects.
Additional highlights include the ability to build and customize charts; easy access to relevant blog posts from Retail’s BIG Blog and the Shop.org Blog, as well as links to press releases; historical data such as yearly sales, employment by retail sector, and monthly retail employment; the latest information on e-commerce sales and quarterly changes; historical consumer spending information for holidays; specific data relating to the size and scope of retail companies; and features enabling users to “share” a page easily via social media channels and e-mail.
The NRF Foundation is funded in part by donations from retail industry supporters.