Behind the logo: S.D. Retailers Association delivers broad value to industry members

Aug. 21, 2019

This paid piece is sponsored by the South Dakota Retailers Association. 

You’ve probably spotted the South Dakota Retailers stickers in the storefronts and glass doors of its almost 4,000 members across South Dakota.

Because the Retailers Association represents 160 categories of businesses, you’ve seen that familiar 4-inch-by-6-inch logo in restaurants, hotels, auto service shops, clothing stores, groceries, pharmacies, hardware stores and everything in between.

“When you see the Retailers logo, even if you’re not setting foot inside the store, you can almost hear the distinctive ‘ding’ of a shop bell,” said executive director Nathan Sanderson.

Sanderson joined the Retailers Association last fall after working in the South Dakota Governor’s Office for eight years.

“My goal is for our association to provide value to businesses,” he said. “If we can make it easier to own and manage a business, to know what’s changing and how to navigate those changes, we’re doing our job.”

Local grocers and other merchants founded the South Dakota Retailers Association in 1897 to provide a voice for retail businesses in the state and a mechanism for sharing up-to-date information on business practices and regulatory changes.

“Advocacy has always been our top priority,” Sanderson said. “So whether we’re pushing to keep South Dakota a business-friendly state, blocking new taxes or regulations, delivering Main Street Fairness or ensuring that the state’s policy-making process is not undermined, we work on behalf of business.”

The Retailers Association seeks to keep business owners educated and informed. Sanderson said understanding “gig work,” navigating the requirements for hiring high school students, recognizing the threats of cybersecurity and keeping up on the latest trends for communication and marketing can pose a challenge.  The association has collected some vetted workforce solutions at sdra.org.

“We know that workforce is a key issue for businesses across the state,” he said. “With unemployment around 3 percent, businesses are going to need to be creative to address their workforce needs.”

Beyond advocacy and information, the Retailers Association provides a variety of services for members, including credit card processing, business insurance and reduced-cost shipping.

“If you have a touchy human resources issue, you can call our HR attorney for free, and restaurants, cafes and coffee shops needing ServSafe certification for staff can register online,” Sanderson explained.

And though they’re proud of their history, the leaders of the South Dakota Retailers Association strive to be more than their logo.

“We think we provide an incredible value to businesses,” Sanderson said. “We’ve been doing it for 122 years, and we’re stronger than ever.”

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Behind the logo: S.D. Retailers Association delivers broad value to industry members

You’ve probably spotted the South Dakota Retailers stickers in the storefronts of its almost 4,000 members. But did you know everything that goes along with that logo?

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