retail industry trade groups

The National Retail Federation reports that retail sales increased modestly in August. The figures point to steady but restrained consumer spending across the retail sector. Details on specific categories or drivers were not provided, so analysts are watching whether the modest growth signals resilience or slowing momentum in household demand heading into the autumn season.

Retail industry groups are calling on the Federal Trade Commission to revise or reconsider its guidance on personalized pricing, the practice of setting different prices for different customers based on their data. The trade associations argue the FTC's current approach is unclear or overly restrictive, and they want clearer rules on when data-driven price discrimination could violate consumer protection laws.

A coalition of trade groups is calling on the U.S. Trade Representative to extend the current pause on port fees targeting China-linked vessels, warning that the fees would raise shipping costs and disrupt supply chains. The levy, announced as part of a broader response to China's dominance in shipbuilding, has drawn criticism from retailers, exporters and carriers who say the timing would add strain to an already fragile global trade environment.