The National Retail Federation (NRF) has named Trudy Trombley, owner of Truly Trudy’s Boutique in Stowe, Vt, America’s Retail Champion of the Year for 2017. The award is the highest honor bestowed on a retailer by NRF for their impact on public policy debates affecting the retail industry. Trombley, who received the award during NRF’s annual Retail Advocates Summit in Washington, DC, was selected from five finalists from around the country. Nearly 80 retailers were nominated by state retail associations, small businesses, and their peers based on their engagement in public policy decisions.
“Trudy is a strong grassroots advocate and a leader in the retail industry who ensures that retail’s voice is heard on a wide range of policy discussions," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “By being involved at all levels of government, she helps advance the public policy agenda for retailers, their employees and customers in her community.”
In addition to Trombley, five other Vermont-based state champions were nominated by the Vermont Retail & Grocers Association including Andrew Brewer, owner of Onion River Sports in Montpelier, Sarah DeFelice, owner of Bailey Road in Montpelier, Marc Sherman, owner of Stowe Mercantile in Stowe, Todd Keyworth, owner of Harborside Market in North Hero, and Marc Bouchett, owner of Homeport in Burlington. The Vermont-based champions were chosen for their individual contributions to public policy on behalf of VRGA.
“Trudy is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to representing small retail businesses in Vermont. Whether it’s raising questions at the local level, representing business owners and retail in the Vermont State House or spending a day on Capitol Hill, Trudy is the first to volunteer to tell the story of retailers and their everyday experiences. Her drive and passion are contagious, and she very much deserves this national recognition,” said VRGA president Erin Sigrist. “And, it’s an honor to work with each of the state champions in a capacity that represents their style. Each retailer is a professional in the field and brings a different approach to strengthening the retail industry in Vermont.”
The Vermont Retail & Grocers Association represents approximately 800 Vermont retail stores and 250 suppliers to the industry, including members of the Vermont Specialty Food Association. VRGA is an association of merchants and trade partners united to promote the sustainable growth of the industry through the educational, economic and public policy needs of members.
NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, supporting one in four US jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF’s This is Retail campaign highlights the industry’s opportunities for life-long careers, how retailers strengthen communities, and the critical role that retail plays in driving innovation. www.nrf.com.