Ryan Ray
On Wednesday the trade association for Florida’s grocery, apparel, department, home furnishings and big-box retailers released their annual outlook ahead of the 2015 legislative session.
Their priorities deal with seven main areas: tourism, mobile devices, data security, shipping, customer service, new and remodeled retail spaces and fashion.
Notable predictions include an industry-wide shift to acceptance of services like Apple Pay and CurrenC, which allow shoppers to pay using their fingerprints; major new retail development and renovation in Downtown Miami; and an increase in employment in the shipping industry, with FedEx, UPS, and USPS all committing to hiring more workers this year.
One in five workers in Florida works in the retail service industry, a proportion that has grown during the administration of Gov. Rick Scott.
