Marc Sherman of Stowe has been named to the National Retail Federation’s Small Business Retail Council Steering Committee. Sherman owns Stowe Mercantile and is the Vermont Retail and Grocers Association’s Vice Chair for Public Policy.
The Small Business Retail Council (SBRC) was created in July to amplify the voice of local, community, and independent retailers in the National Retail Association’s (NRF) public policy initiatives and priorities. According to NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay, “These small business owners are truly representative of the retail industry. Not only do they live and work in retail, powering the economy, strengthening their communities and providing meaningful jobs and careers, they are also committed to the future health and well-being of the industry.”
Working closely with state retail associations, the SBRC’s mission is to organize, recruit, and engage Main Street merchants and independent community retailers in grassroots activities. The council also serves as a forum to discuss the most pressing public policy issues and the priorities of local business owners and operators. Every region of the U.S. is represented by the council’s 15 members.
After initial meetings, the council determined that its first priority would be sales tax fairness for brick and mortar retailers. About this and other related issues, Stowe Mercantile’s Sherman stated, “It’s extremely valuable to have small businesses represented prominently in Washington, D.C. because they can be overshadowed by larger corporations and chains.”