The National Retail Federation (NRF) has named Art Potash, owner of Potash Markets in Chicago, America’s Retail Champion of the Year during the organization’s Retail Advocates Summit.
NRF launched the America’s Retail Champion program in 2014 to honor retail executives who have played a significant role in public policy debates and decisions. A total of 44 nominees were selected based on their efforts to address the retail industry’s top issues. Some of the primary issues challenging the retail industry on a federal policy level include: online sales tax collection, credit and debit card swipe fees and patent reform.
Potash was selected as the winner after the field was narrowed to five finalists, including: Wogan Badcock III of Badcock Home Furniture & More in Mulberry, Florida; Ruthena Fink of Grand Jeté in St. Paul, Minnesota; Teresa Miller of Treats Unleashed in Chesterfield, Missouri; and Ann Wingrove of Completely Kentucky in Frankfort, Kentucky.
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To recognize Potash for his advocacy efforts, NRF will add Illinois as the sixth stop on the “Retail Across America” road trip, which is part of its This is Retail campaign. NRF will join the Illinois Retail Merchants Association in early October to raise awareness of the retail industry’s positive effect on careers, communities and innovation. Other state stops scheduled for the 2014 series include: North Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, Ohio and California.
“On behalf of the entire retail industry, I want to thank Art for his commitment to advancing the retail agenda,” said Matthew Shay, President and CEO of NRF. “Art exemplifies what it means to be an active and effective grassroots advocate, and has demonstrated time and time again an unabashed willingness to step-up, raise his voice and lead in the sincere hope of making a difference.”
