RMA Brochure - 2018

RETAIL MERCHANTS THE ULTIMATE RESOURCE FOR RETAILERS TO THRIVE.

@RetailMerchants

LEARN | CONNECT | THRIVE

I can’t think of any other group or Association that has impacted [our business] as much as the RMA. If you have all the business you can handle and know everything, then it may not be for you — but for the rest of us who struggle with the changing retail landscape, it is invaluable!

Joining was one of the best decisions we have made.

- CHRIS HOLDER, Vice President of Capital Ale House

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ABOUT RMA

OUR MISSION

OUR MEMBERS

OUR RESOURCES

LET’S CONNECT

RETAIL MERCHANTS Retail Merchants (RMA) is a membership organization that understands retailers’ needs and provides solutions. We are dedicated to the success of local retailers and businesses here in Richmond and the surrounding counties.

PROMOTE BEING LOYAL TO LOCAL THROUGHOUT ALL OF RVA

USE OUR VOICE TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF RETAILERS

RMA seeks to raise awareness about the importance of shopping locally through its Think. Shop. Buy. Local program. By tailoring its communication platforms to local area consumers, the program offers unique promotional opportunities for members to reach a larger audience.

RMA provides members with access and affiliation to the strongest retail advocacy association in the state. The Virginia Retail Federation (VRF) team of full-time lobbyists who advocate on behalf of the retail industry, on the local, State and Federal level.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE? 5101 Monument Avenue | Richmond, Virginia 23230

Please visit us in person, online at RetailMerchants.com, or contact the RMA Member Relations Team today!

01 ABOUT RMA

CONNECT AND INSPIRE THROUGH A VARIETY OF EVENTS

DELIVER PROGRAMS THAT EDUCATE AND PROVIDE RESOURCES

RMA members get exclusive access to a wide variety of high-quality programming throughout the year. Events are built around the different needs of its members and provide countless opportunities to network, connect and collaborate with like-minded businesses.

Dynamic and innovative, RMA is continuously developing member benefits that provide solution-oriented resources to the local retail community. Benefits focus on issues such as hiring quality talent, increasing collaboration among area businesses, as well as training and leadership development.

CAROLINE ASHBY

ERIN HANRATTA

MEMBER RELATIONS COORDINATOR

MEMBER RELATIONS ADVISOR

cashby@retailmerchants.com 804.272.3915

ehanratta@retailmerchants.com 804.662.5504

02 OUR MISSION

OUR VISION We envision that every retailer is a member of Retail Merchants and sees value in their membership.

OUR MISSION To serve as the ultimate resource for local retailers to thrive.

CORE VALUES • We are committed to our members • and the community.

• We are open, honest, and direct • communicators.

• We are professional and accountable.

• We are collaborators who promote • connectivity, change, and creativity.

• We expect excellence in ourselves • and each other.

WELCOME, As a dynamic organization, RMA continuously strives to serve the Richmond-area retail community and be a meaningful resource to meet the needs of our members.

By regularly engaging local retailers, RMA has been able to identify their current challenges and strive to provide innovative, long-lasting solutions.

RMA encourages open communication and seeks continued feedback from members to ensure each and every one sees value in their RMA membership. We aim to provide members with quality benefits and solutionoriented opportunities so they are equipped with the necessary resources for their businesses to succeed.

Stay connected, there is much more to come!

Sincerely,

NANCY THOMAS PRESIDENT / CEO

03 OUR MEMBERS

60%

500

Average percent of members that have under 10 employees

Average number of RMA members in 2017

70%

Average percent of members that are true retailers

95

Average number of different business categories RMA members fall into

100

Average number of hospitality (hotels & restaurants) members

RMA RESOURCES Retail Merchants understands the current challenges of its members, and offers forward-thinking solutions. RMA is focused on providing member benefits that address the following needs that have been reiterated by the local retail community:

PROVIDING SOLUTION-ORIENTED RESOURCES

HEIGHTENED COLLABORATION OF AREA BUSINESSES

EDUCATIONAL & TRAINING PROGRAMS WITH ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS

INCREASED CONTENT & DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES

CERTIFIED SOLUTION PROVIDERS RMA has teamed up with several local area businesses who serve as Certified Solutions Providers. Well-vetted, these companies provide retailers with solutions and resources that solve business needs. They also provide exclusive member opportunities!

Blueswipe is the company behind payment processing for local businesses.

With a monthly subscription and no long-term contracts or hidden fees, this local startup provides exceptional service and helps businesses truly understand their payment processing statements.

RMA members receive an exclusive deal on already valuable savings.

HUSL, an on-demand shift platform powered by Snagajob, provides RMA members with a new solution for their workforce challenges. No-shows? No problem! HUSL reduces the daily drain of shift coverage and turnover impact by providing business owners immediate access to qualified workers to fill shift requests in just a matter of minutes!

Experient Health, a Virginia Farm Bureau Company, is a long-time partner of RMA that provides members easy access to a variety of quality health care solutions.

Whether looking at plans for groups or individuals, their knowledgeable team can help determine and find the best solution for any business. Ask for one of the RMA representatives today!

COLLABORATION WITH AREA BUSINESSES

COMBINED DIGITAL REACH

Retail Merchants has a new collaborative platform that allows its members to easily connect with one another. This digital community platform also provides retailers the opportunity to access information and find industry-specific resources.

The combined average reach of the Retail Merchants and Think. Shop.

Buy. Local platforms each month:

The member-exclusive community consists of private and public groups where users can interact, share ideas, gain knowledge, answer questions and stay connected all from the comfort of their business.

EDUCATION & TRAINING RMA’s Educational Series is an in-depth learning series built for retailers. Each session concentrates on a specific topic that can benefit their business. Topics range from growth and development resources to training opportunities for employees. Attendees leave with direct takeaways and implementations for their business.

7,000 WEBSITE VISITS

97,000 SOCIAL MEDIA REACH

INCREASING DIGITAL & PROMOTING LOCAL RMA delivers affordable promotion opportunities for its members to increase their visibility throughout the community.

To maximize these opportunities, communications are separated between two different platforms, RMA and Think.

Shop. Buy. Local, so members can reach their target audience.

RMA platforms connect business professionals with other like-minded retailers. The Think.

Shop. Buy. Local program, on the other hand, promotes member businesses to local area consumers.

RMA members can utilize the following free digital avenues to help expand their overall reach: Local Events, Local Stories, Local Feed, and the RMA Member Blog.

10,000 + EMAIL DISTRIBUTION

114,000 TOTAL AVERAGE REACH

04 OUR RESOURCES

REPRESENTING THE VOICE OF RETAILERS Virginia Retail Federation (VRF), a subsidiary of RMA, is a statewide organization that protects retailers’ rights and ensures that their interests are represented on the local, state and Federal levels.

RMA members are automatically enrolled as a member of VRF and have full access to its invaluable benefits.

Members are encouraged to utilize VRF’s reputable, full-time lobbyists as a resource to answer questions.

RMA encourages members to stay informed on legislative matters by utilizing both VRF’s digital platforms, as well as subscribing to its e-newsletter, “The Retail Advocate.” Lobbyists use these to communicate timely updates to its members throughout the year.

VirginiaRetailFederation.com

KATE BAKER Government Affairs | 919.215.6273 kbaker@virginiaretailfederation.com

JODI ROTH Government Affairs | 804.690.4940 jroth@virginiaretailfederation.com

VRF lobbyists, Kate Baker and Jodi Roth, can provide members with the opportunity to connect with influential government officials, ensure the voices of our members are heard throughout the legislative process, and regularly inform members of any and all issues that may directly impact their business.

Interested in learning more? Contact one of VRF’s lobbyists or visit us online at VirginiaRetailFederation.com.

@VirginiaRetailFederation

@VaRetailFed

THE RETAILER’S ULTIMATE RESOURCE. Annual RMA memberships are available to both Retailers and non-retail businesses that support retailers through their services, known as Retail Partners. Member classifications are based on a company’s number of full-time employees.

# OF EMPLOYEES

RETAILERS

1-3

$

4-10

RETAIL PARTNERS

195 / year

$

225 / year

$

295 / year

$

325 / year

11-25

$

395 / year

$

450 / year

26-50

$

550 / year

$

625 / year

51-100

$

765 / year

$

850 / year

101-250

$

1,495 / year

$

1,600 / year

251-500

$

2,150 / year

$

2,350 / year

500+

$

3,200 / year

$

3,500 / year

LET’S CONNECT Erin Hanratta | RMA Member Relations Advisor | 804.662.5504 | ehanratta@retailmerchants.com

05 LET’S CONNECT

5101 Monument Ave., Richmond, VA 23230 | 804.662.5500 | info@retailmerchants.com