Washington Retail Association

Washington Retail Association Mission: Advocate for the retail industry to the public and at all levels of government and provide members programs of value.

To represent the legislative, regulatory and political interests of the retailing industry in the State of Washington at the local, state and national level; to promote the orderly development and economic advancement of Washington retailing and the state as a whole; to stimulate and enhance competitive enterprise with community responsibility; to provide programs of service and action in promotin

g the common interests of members; and to secure cooperation with and among other organizations in the furtherance of those objectives.

Seattle leaders are considering a one-year pause on new large-scale data centers as concerns grow over energy demand, in...
05/26/2026

Seattle leaders are considering a one-year pause on new large-scale data centers as concerns grow over energy demand, infrastructure impacts, and long-term utility costs. Two proposed projects remain under review after public pushback led other developers to withdraw.

https://washingtonretail.org/seattle-considers-pause-on-large-data-centers/

Seattle leaders are considering a temporary pause on new large-scale data centers after a strong public response to several proposed projects. Four companies had approached Seattle City Light about building five facilities that together could require up to 369 megawatts of electricity, roughly one-t...

On this Memorial Day, WR pauses to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our cou...
05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day, WR pauses to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice is the reason we enjoy our freedoms and continue to build stronger communities today. We also extend our gratitude to all who serve, and to the families who stand beside them every day.

Today, we remember. Today, we honor.

On this Memorial Day, WR pauses to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice is the reason we enjoy our freedoms and continue to build stronger communities today. We also extend our gratitude to all who serve, and…

Cargo theft is surging nationwide, costing an estimated $18 million every day, while organized retail crime continues to...
05/22/2026

Cargo theft is surging nationwide, costing an estimated $18 million every day, while organized retail crime continues to strain retailers, supply chains, and law enforcement resources. Washington was again identified as a leading hotspot for retail crime, even as proposed ORC enforcement funding was vetoed.

https://washingtonretail.org/organized-retail-crime-april-recap-highlights-rising-cargo-theft-and-enforcement-gaps/

Cargo theft is costing an estimated $18 million per day, with annual losses of about $6.6 billion and 74 percent of goods unrecovered, according to industry analysis. Criminal activity is concentrated near major freight corridors in states including California, Texas, Illinois, and Tennessee, with i...

Washington residents and businesses impacted by the December storms and flooding have until June 10 to apply for FEMA an...
05/21/2026

Washington residents and businesses impacted by the December storms and flooding have until June 10 to apply for FEMA and SBA disaster assistance. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply.

https://washingtonretail.org/fema-assistance-deadline-approaches-for-washington-residents-and-businesses/

Washington residents and businesses impacted by the December storms and flooding have until June 10, 2026, to apply for federal disaster assistance through FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. According to FEMA, more than 605 households have already received nearly $5 million in grants.....

WR has announced Jan Himebaugh as its new President and CEO beginning June 1. Himebaugh brings decades of experience in ...
05/21/2026

WR has announced Jan Himebaugh as its new President and CEO beginning June 1. Himebaugh brings decades of experience in advocacy, public affairs, and association leadership to the role as WR continues advancing issues impacting retailers across Washington state.

Himebaugh brings decades of experience in association leadership and legislative and public affairs in Olympia to the organization. OLYMPIA, Wash. (May 20, 2026) – After a months-long national search, the Olympia-based Washington Retail Association (WR) has selected Jan Himebaugh, the vice preside...

Business leaders, policymakers, and former elected officials gathered at the 2026 AWB Spring Summit to discuss Washingto...
05/20/2026

Business leaders, policymakers, and former elected officials gathered at the 2026 AWB Spring Summit to discuss Washington’s economy, workforce development, tax policy, and the state’s business climate.

Business leaders, policymakers, and former elected officials gathered in Vancouver for the 2026 Association of Washington Business Spring Summit to discuss Washington’s economy, tax policy, workforce development, and the state’s business climate. Former Governor Christine Gregoire and former Att...

Election season is officially underway in Washington state. With every State House seat and nearly half of the State Sen...
05/19/2026

Election season is officially underway in Washington state. With every State House seat and nearly half of the State Senate on the ballot, the outcomes of the 2026 races will shape the future of business policy across the state.

Candidate filing week closed on Friday, May 8, officially setting the stage for Washington’s 2026 election cycle. This year, all 98 seats in the Washington State House of Representatives and 24 of the 49 seats in the State Senate are on the ballot. The statewide primary is scheduled for August…

Washington employers: New Equal Pay rules take effect May 22, 2026. Updates include changes to driver’s license requirem...
05/18/2026

Washington employers: New Equal Pay rules take effect May 22, 2026. Updates include changes to driver’s license requirements in job postings, wage disclosure guidance, and compliance procedures under the Equal Pay and Opportunities Act.

New rules adopted by Washington State’s Department of Labor and Industries will bring updates to employer hiring and job posting practices under the Equal Pay and Opportunities Act beginning May 22, 2026. The changes are designed to clarify existing law and implement legislation approved in 2025. ...

WR continues building strong partnerships with Seattle-area chambers and retailers to address key issues impacting busin...
05/18/2026

WR continues building strong partnerships with Seattle-area chambers and retailers to address key issues impacting businesses, including public safety, transportation disruptions, and retail theft. Read more about recent meetings in Fremont and Ballard.

https://washingtonretail.org/wr-outreach-to-local-seattle-chambers-of-commerce-and-businesses/

On May 12, WR’s interim CEO Alesha Shemwell, Director of Policy & Government Affairs Crystal Leatherman, and John Engber, Director of the Retail Industry Coalition of Seattle, met with the Fremont Chamber’s Executive Director, Pete Hanning. This meeting is one of a series of meetings that WR...

Address

618 Quince Street SE
Olympia, WA
98501

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+13609439198

Website

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