Thomas Olinde

The Louisiana Retailers Association is a membership organization representing a broad spectrum of retail businesses, including department stores, specialty shops, pharmacies, and grocery stores. The non-profit company is based in Baton Rouge, LA. It serves as the voice for the retail industry in the state by monitoring and advocating on legislative, regulatory, and political issues at various levels to promote a competitive business climate with community responsibility. The association provides members with resources such as business discounts, coupon redemption services, and personalized support, and offers two membership types with tailored benefits. It hosts initiatives to combat large-scale retail theft and operates an alliance supporting pharmacies in enhancing healthcare access and pharmaceutical care.

Provides banking services

The Home Furnishings Association is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to supporting home furnishings retailers, including those with physical and online storefronts. The private company is based in Roseville, CA. Established in 1920, it represents over 1,500 members and more than 13,000 storefronts worldwide. The association offers tailored membership types for retailers, manufacturers, representatives, and service providers, providing benefits such as advocacy, education, networking, and business growth resources. It delivers specialized programming including webinars, sales academies, market seminars, and events at major industry gatherings. Members have access to educational content and expert insights on merchandising, marketing, operations, and emerging trends like AI and supply chain resilience. The association facilitates industry collaboration through sponsorships, solution partners, and a directory of manufacturers and service providers. Advocacy is a core focus, with engagement at local, state, federal, and international levels to promote fair competition, innovation, and economic vitality in the home furnishings sector. Key issues addressed include sales tax, tariffs, consumer safety, environmental regulations, workforce development, digital commerce, sustainability, and retail crime prevention.

Functions as a College/University