Retail Merchants Association offers free membership, access to resources during pandemic

As the devastating effects of the COVID-19 crisis continue to rock the country, small businesses are paying a heavy price for measures intended to limit the spread of the pandemic. In an effort to build solidarity across the sector, the retail business leaders on the Retail Merchants Association board have voted to open membership to all local retail businesses at no cost for the next six months as part of the organization’s Retail Relief 2020 initiative.

“We invite all retail business owners to join RMA’s existing members who are already participating in Retail Relief 2020,” said RMA President, Nancy Thomas. “As members, these retailers will not only be part of the collective voice, but will also have access to information, support, and advocacy. RMA is committed to ensuring that the small businesses which do so much to enrich our community are equipped to survive through this crisis.”

Through the Retail Relief 2020 initiative, businesses, at no cost, can:

• Access and utilize the Retail Relief 2020 online community where they can share information, ask questions or connect with other businesses
• Receive consolidated and translated information around government mandates, stimulus packages and other relief efforts that impact retail specifically
• Be heard as a part of the collective voice to implore our elected officials to take specific action to keep the retail, and particularly the local retail, sector intact
• Engage in the Think. Shop. Buy. Local platform that will highlight how retailers are adapting and how consumers can best support them
• Gain entry to facilitated peer-to-peer video conferencing roundtables
• Obtain admittance to industry-specific webinars on crisis management, government mandates, and other relevant topics based on their needs

Businesses interested in being part of Retail Relief 2020 can sign-up at retailmerchants.com.