Search
Close this search box.

Policy and Positions

ADVOCACY

Policy and Positions

The liability to which retailers are exposed can add significantly to the cost of doing business. FRF advocates for a tort system that protects retailers from frivolous and predatory litigation. We continue to push for a framework that reflects actual damages rather than the ability to pay and supports efforts to restore fairness, predictability, and personal responsibility to the state’s civil justice system.

FRF supports a fair and equitable state and local tax system that benefits consumers and minimizes administrative burdens on retailers. Florida’s leaders have embraced sales tax holidays (STH) and FRF supports legacy STH’s while working to make new holidays as streamlined as possible. FRF opposes the state’s requirement to pay sales taxes on credit card interchange fees and advocates for the opportunity for businesses with private-label credit cards to recover a greater portion of the sales taxes previously remitted to the State on worthless accounts. FRF is also working to eliminate the state’s one-of-a-kind business rent tax.

Retail theft takes many forms that include but are not limited to organized retail crime (ORC) theft, return fraud, gift card fraud, and friendly fraud. Regardless of the form it takes, retail theft costs retailers and their customers hundreds of millions of dollars each year. FRF collaborates with the Office of the Attorney General to fight retail crime and we oppose any legislation that undermines existing retail theft laws. We fight to ensure that retail theft is treated as the serious crime that it is.

People are more connected than ever through technology. Mobile technology and web applications empower consumers to browse products, make purchases, and receive services and benefits from their favorite retailers. Reasonable consumer protections must not present undue costs to retailers and should protect against exposure to frivolous lawsuits.

Consumers today are becoming more environmentally conscious. As such, retailers are at the forefront of environmental sustainability, recycling, energy consumption, waste management, and other environmental measures. FRF supports a wide variety of science-based environmental initiatives. FRF does not support emotion-based initiatives or bans that create distribution, health and sanitary issues for retail employees and customers.

The grocery industry is an integral part of neighborhoods across Florida. In times of celebration or emergency, grocers continuously work to meet the demand and provide fresh produce and necessary goods. FRF represents the industry in dealings with regulatory bodies to ensure the system is practical, efficient, and consistent.

FRF supports workplace policies that promote flexibility and economic growth while opposing onerous rules that intrude on business operations and lead to unnecessary costs for retailers. To retain and recruit talent, retailers take many steps to keep their employees happy – from education and training to bonus incentives and flexible hours. The flexibility retail offers is one of the things that attract people to the industry.

Pharmacies play a crucial role in improving the health and wellbeing of Floridians. There is ample evidence that a more fully engaged pharmacist, practicing to the fullest extent of his/her license, can save healthcare systems and consumers millions of dollars without sacrificing quality of care. Pharmacists must be allowed to use their professional skills and expertise to meet the growing demand for basic healthcare needs. Pharmacies must be allowed to continue to employ the latest technology to meet ever-changing challenges.

Government adds significantly to the cost of doing business through the regulatory process. FRF supports members as they work to maneuver the existing regulatory maze. FRF fights to halt any effort to further extend the bureaucracy and impose unfunded mandates on Florida employers. We generally oppose local ordinances that create difficulties for retailers, and confusion for consumers, in working across jurisdictional lines.

Retailers require reliable and reasonably priced electricity in order to conduct business and meet customers’ needs. Retailers in Florida must purchase their electricity from the large privately owned power companies in Florida pursuant to rates that are approved by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC). FRF routinely appears on behalf of its members in PSC proceedings to protect our members’ interests. FRF advocates to ensure that our members continue to receive safe, adequate, and reliable electric service at fair and reasonable rates that are not unduly discriminatory.