The National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association announced on Thursday that the two organizations have ended merger discussions.
The two groups had said in April that they reached an agreement in principle to combine.
"Following a deliberative process, RILA and NRF have ended discussions aimed at merging the two organizations," read a statement from the associations’ boards of directors. "NRF and RILA will devote all resources to continuing the work they are each doing to address the serious issues that America’s consumers and retailers are facing in today’s economic environment."
RILA promotes consumer choice and economic freedom through public policy and industry operational excellence. RILA members include the some of largest and most successful companies in the retail industry. RILA provides its members with educational forums, public policy advocacy, and advancement of the retail industry.
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores, chain restaurants, drug stores and grocery stores as well as the industry’s key trading partners of retail goods and services. NRF’s mission is to advance and protect the interests of the retail industry and to help retailers achieve excellence in all areas of their business.
