Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMay 25, 2018

The Florida Retail Federation said parents, grandparents and friends will spend big bucks on celebrating high school and college graduates this year. The trade association said the average Floridian will spend $102.51 showering the young adults with gifts once they snag diploma or degree. That’s just a couple dollars shy of last year’s record average […]

Drew WilsonMay 25, 2018

New compensation reports put Johnson & Blanton just outside of the top-10 in legislative lobbying pay during the first three months of 2018. The seven-member team headed up by Jon Johnson and Travis Blanton received between $750,000 and $1.5 million from its 79 principals in Q1, with the median earnings estimate clocking in at $1.25 […]

Drew WilsonMay 12, 2018

Consumers are expected to spend billions this weekend showering the mothers in their lives with gifts both sweet and sparkly according to a new survey from the National Retail Federation. The retail trade group said 86 percent of Americans plan to do some shopping for Mother’s Day, whether in-store or online, with per person spending […]

Staff ReportsApril 2, 2018

R. Scott Shalley, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation, has been selected to join the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors effective immediately, the group announced Monday. “I’m honored to join the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, and I want to thank Chair Maryann Frenec and the rest of the board members for this opportunity,” Shalley […]

Peter SchorschMarch 30, 2018

Consumers are expected to spend $18.2 billion nationwide celebrating Easter this year according to a new survey released by the National Retail Federation. More than four fifths of American consumers said they plan to do something to commemorate the holiday, and NRF estimates each will spend $150 doing so. The figure comes in slightly lower […]

Drew WilsonMarch 16, 2018

The 9-to-5 crowd aren’t the only ones grateful St. Patrick’s Day is on a weekend this year – retailers have plenty to celebrate, too. According to a new survey from the National Retail Federation, Americans are expected to spend $5.9 billion celebrating all things Irish this year, which smashes the 2017 record of $5.3 billion. […]

Staff ReportsMarch 13, 2018

The head of the Florida Retail Federation said Tuesday that one of the trade association’s “biggest successes” was helping block a criminal justice reform that would have raised the threshold for a felony theft charge. “Keeping the threshold at its current limit of $300 will help to protect retailed by deterring theft, discouraging criminals from […]

Danny McAuliffeFebruary 14, 2018

At the peak of one of the worst flu seasons in recent history, some lawmakers are trying to make it easier for sick patients to be diagnosed and treated for the virus. St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes and Orlando Republican Rep. Rene Plasencia are sponsoring legislation (SB 524 and HB 431) that would let […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 13, 2018

A bill that would change the rules for franchise agreements was temporarily postponed by the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday. SB 1076, sponsored by Sarasota Republican Sen. Greg Steube, would give franchise owners more rights when it comes to selling their business or leaving it to an heir, and would also give Florida owners home field […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 13, 2018

A National Retail Federation survey estimates consumers will spend $19.6 billion pampering their loved ones with Valentine’s Day gifts this year, putting it just a hair behind the all-time record of $19.7 billion set in 2016. The 2018 forecast estimates 55 percent of Americans will shell out some cash on gifts this year, with the […]

Tag: Florida Retail Federation
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Graduation spending to pass $5B in 2018

Johnson & Blanton clears $1.25M in first quarter

Retailers expect Mother’s Day spending to top $23B

Personnel note: Scott Shalley joins VISIT FLORIDA board

Easter spending expected to be near all-time record

Retailers expect record breaking St. Patrick’s Day

Retailers say blocking criminal justice proposal was among ‘biggest successes’

Flu spike shows need for easier access to treatment, lawmakers say

Franchise bill halted in second committee

Retailers expect to get plenty of love on Valentine’s Day