We began with local businesses coming together to drive meaningful change.

In 1906, the Retail Merchants Association of Richmond was organized by nine downtown retailer companies: Berry-Burk & Co., Greentree’s, Hofheimer’s, E. T. Long & Co., Miller & Rhoads, the Richmond Art Co., Schwarzschild’s, Sydnor & Hundley, and Thalhimers.

Leveraging their collective power, the group’s first effort was to get the city to sprinkle the streets with water. This would help stop dust from getting into their stores, improving the customer experience.  

 

“A delegation of members from the Retail Merchants Association appeared before the Health Committee last night and besought this body to seek such an appropriation as would enable them to have the streets sprinkled and abate the dust nuisance, which has proved a menace to both health and business.

 

​The committee decided to ask City Council next Monday night for $20,000 for street sprinkling. Mr. Clarke, President of the Retail Merchants Association stated that ‘the dust of last Saturday afternoon damaged the goods of the merchants at least in the sum of $500, and perhaps more.’”​

 

– Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 2, 1906

 

The Credit Bureau of Richmond was established by the Association to compile information on the personal standing of all customers buying on credit from member stores. The credit reporting service was a success from the beginning. From a single file drawer in 1907, it grew to a computerized data base containing 2.9 million individual files with automated credit reporting covering 69 counties and 14 cities and towns throughout Virginia.

With the hub of retailing located in the central district of downtown Richmond, one of the first public relations campaigns was “Richmond Days”. The event had banners across Broad Street and newspaper ads promoting the big sales event. “Richmond Days” was designed to get people downtown to shop for Christmas. The Association also offered educational programs and eventually the monthly First Friday Forum breakfast program was established.

Association members begin to address common concerns of promoting sales, credit issues and governmental affairs affecting local retailers.

The Retail Merchants Association moves its headquarters to the Central National Bank Building at 219 East Broad. 

In 1958, a collection department was organized and grew into the largest automated collection operation in Virginia, serving the entire state.

The Association established the “Distinguished Retailer Award” in memory of its second President, George C. Robison. William B. Thalhimer, Jr. was the first recipient.

The Retail Merchants Association present logo designed by Creative Services of Richmond Newspapers won both state and national awards.

The Association expands its Credit Reporting and check authorization service throughout the state of Virginia. Commonwealth Check Systems, a computerized audio response check authorization service for retailers and financial institutions, was established in 1974. It expanded into the Northern Virginia, Roanoke Valley, Tidewater and the Peninsula areas. The Retail Merchants Association’s broad-based membership of 3000 used these services, and a staff of nearly 100 employees worked in the various divisions.

The Association was instrumental in changing Virginia law to permit not-for-profit debt counseling services and organized the Consumer Credit Counseling Services (CCCS), which now operates throughout Richmond, Virginia, and North Carolina.

The Security Managers Association was organized to focus on matters of loss prevention for its members.

The Association began enhancing its educational programs, covering topics such as human resources, loss prevention, customer service, sales training, marketing, and personal leadership.

The Association became a major sponsor of the Ukrop’s/Retail Merchants Association Christmas Parade after it was revived by the Richmond Jaycees.

The Credit Bureau of Richmond, along with the collection department and Commonwealth Check Systems, was sold to Equifax. 

The Association, in partnership with the Greater Richmond Chamber, created the Valor Awards to celebrate the outstanding bravery of Greater Richmond’s Police, Fire, and Emergency Service officers.

The Tuition Assistance Partnership was established, covering 50% of tuition costs for eligible employees of member firms to take college courses. The Association also assumed sponsorship of the Junior League of Richmond’s Book and Author Dinner.

Association organized the 100 Club of Metro Richmond, known today as Valor RVA, a citizens membership organization which provides a financial “safety net” for the families of area law enforcement officers and firefighters who pass away in the line of duty. Funds are also used to provide special equipment and training for public safety professionals.

The Association made a sizable contribution to help start the VCU Biotech Research Park and was a pacesetter for the $1 million capital fund drive.

The Desktop Marketplace of Virginia, a virtual shopping mall on the Internet is launched, giving local retailers the opportunity to reach a wider market.

In 1997, the Association contributed $50,000 toward the Leadership Metro Richmond Endowment Campaign.  The endowment helped expand and enhance Leadership Metro Richmond in developing “cutting edge” leaders for Richmond and the surrounding counties

The Association has been a financial supporter of the Sports Backers since their inception, and provided free office space for the organization in its early years.  A $100,000 contribution was made to the Sports Backer’s field/soccer stadium, which host major international, national, regional and statewide sporting events.

In 1998, the Association committed $3,500,000 to the Bureau based on its reorganization under the leadership of the Association, Richmond, Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico.  The Bureau grew to be recognized as one of the top CVB’s in America.

Through its President, William Baxter, who served and the Chairman of the Greater Richmond Convention Center Authority, the Association invested enormous time and energy into the expansion of the region’s convention center, going from a 35,000 square foot facility to a 700,000 square foot facility – the largest in Virginia. 

Created a partnership with “Richmond.com” to give RMA members free listing on the Internet.

Print/TV ad campaigns “It Pays to Buy Metro Richmond” and Shopping Spree Contests in the Richmond Times Dispatch – driving customer eyes to member company ads.

Partners with E-Mail Alert System. LLC, a proprietary internet system that electronically links retailers with financial institutions, FBI, Secret Service, US Postal Inspection Service, Virginia State and Capital Police, local Police and Sheriff’s departments, college police.  Allows retailers to be on the look-out for criminals and criminal activities, and allows law enforcement departments to easily communicate between themselves.

Created “Retail Marketing Expo” trade show which brings all area media (print, TV, radio, internet, etc.) to the Greater Richmond Convention Center for a full day.

Retail Institute/Retail University – Longwood University established an MBA program with a concentration on retail in the RMA’s Richmond Headquarters. 

Name change – dropped “of Greater Richmond” and expanded service footprint.  At its 100^th anniversary, the Association legally changed its name to “The Retail Merchants Association” and expanded its physical territory to encompass ½ of Virginia.

Joined with the Retail Alliance in the creation of the Virginia Retail Federation, LLC, which is now the legislative arm of the Retail Merchants Association and the Retail Alliance.

To encourage and support this vibrant local economy, the Retail Merchants Association introduces the “Think. Shop. Buy. Local” campaign.  This is a consumer campaign to promote the importance of supporting our local businesses.