Alabama Retail Day

Proclamation
By the Governor of Alabama

WHEREAS, 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 citizens. Retail is Alabama’s largest private employer. Retail accounts for one of every four Alabamians employed in the private sector; and

WHEREAS, Alabama retailers annual payroll exceeds $5.7 billion. Retail trade accounts for at least 8 percent of the state’s gross domestic product, making retail the state’s third highest producing industry outside of government; and

WHEREAS, Alabama retailers each year collect more than $2 billion in sales taxes on behalf of Alabama’s state government. Our state’s retail sales, which exceed $75 billion annually, account for 1.5 percent of all retail sales nationally; and

WHEREAS, Alabama’s retailers also supply vital income and property taxes to the state of Alabama, supporting this state as its economic backbone:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim October 6, 2015, 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 18th day of September 2015.

Robert Bentley
Governor