Alabama Retail Day
WHEREAS, every day, Alabama retailers sell the quality produce grown in Alabama and the world-class goods made in Alabama as well as those produced and made throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, Alabama has more than 50,000 retail establishments or slightly more than one retail business for every square mile of the state; and
WHEREAS, Alabama retailers employ some 400,000 of our great state’s citizens, making retail Alabama’s largest private employer; and
WHEREAS, retail accounts for one of every four Alabamians employed in the private sector; and
WHEREAS, retail, along with the related hospitality industries, have added more jobs in 2012 than any other sectors; and
WHEREAS, Alabama retailers’ annual payroll exceeds $5 billion; and
WHEREAS, retail trade accounts for 11.4 percent of the state’s gross domestic product, making retail the state’s third highest producing industry; and
WHEREAS, our state’s retail sales, which exceed $50 billion annually, account for 1.5 percent of all retail sales nationally; and
WHEREAS, Alabama retailers each year collect almost $2 billion in sales taxes on behalf of Alabama’s state government; and
WHEREAS, Alabama’s retailers also supply vital income and property taxes to the state of Alabama, supporting this state as its economic backbone; and
WHEREAS, the Retail Excellence Initiative in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Business promotes the study and practice of retailing in Alabama and the pursuit of careers in retailing by UAB students; and
WHEREAS, the 4,000-member Alabama Retail Association and Firestone Complete Auto Care join the Retail Excellence Initiative in this mission; and
WHEREAS, these organizations graciously will be the hosts for the 31st Annual Alabama Retail Day on Tuesday, September 25, 2012:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim September 25, 2012, as
Alabama Retail Day
in the state of Alabama.
Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 25th day of September 2012.
Robert Bentley, Governor
Provided by the Office of the Governor of Alabama | governor.alabama.gov