Kentucky Retail Federation

06/04/2026

The Merchants Payments Coalition expressed deep disappointment today after Colorado Gov. Jared Polis vetoed legislation that would have banned credit and debit card swipe fees on sales tax and was poised to deliver significant savings for small businesses and consumers across the state.

MPC expressed deep disappointment today after Colorado Gov. Jared Polis vetoed legislation that would have banned credit and debit card swipe fees on sales tax and was poised to deliver significant savings for small businesses and consumers across the state.

06/02/2026

Walmart associates from across Southeastern Kentucky came together Friday to support ongoing recovery efforts in Laurel County following the devastating EF4 tornado that impacted the community on May 16, 2025. Volunteers representing all 11 Walmart stores in Southeastern Kentucky participated in “Walmart: Planting Hope in Our Community,” a large-scale beautification and landscaping effort designed to help restore hope, pride and normalcy as rebuilding efforts continued. The initiative included the planting of 100 trees and 50 shrubs donated by Walmart throughout tornado-impacted neighborhoods. The effort was supported by several local partners, including the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department, which assisted with transportation of plants and materials, and the Laurel County Fire Department, which provided fire trucks to help water newly planted trees and shrubs during the event.

05/28/2026

According to NRF’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, 39% of respondents plan to buy a gift for a high school or college graduate in 2026.

🎓 season is more than a milestone—it’s a major retail moment.
From gifts to celebrations, see how consumers are showing up (and spending) for the Class of 2026. 👇
🔗 https://bit.ly/4k0uwXn

05/15/2026

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor shows sales grew in April despite high gas prices and sustained inflation. Read more: https://bit.ly/4u4DQOT

05/12/2026

For the first time in three years, Americans’ wages are no longer outpacing inflation.Prices rose 0.6% on a monthly basis, driving the annual rate to 3.8%, the highest since May 2023, according to the latest Consumer Price Index data released Tuesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

For the first time in three years, Americans’ wages are no longer outpacing inflation.

05/07/2026

The amount big banks and card networks may collect in credit card “swipe” fees on gasoline and diesel has now reached as much as $60 million a day, the Merchants Payments Coalition said today.

The amount big banks and card networks may collect in credit card “swipe” fees on gasoline and diesel has now reached as much as $60 million a day, MPC said.

05/05/2026

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is signing emergency measures to freeze the state’s sales tax on gasoline starting in July and declare a state of emergency that could lower the tax by 10 cents a gallon starting next week. In a Tuesday press conference, Beshear, said he doesn’t see an end to the ongoing war between Iran and the United States that’s contributing to surging gasoline and diesel prices, arguing the measures would cumulatively save Kentuckians tens of millions of dollars at the gas pump each month.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is signing emergency measures to freeze the state’s sales tax on gasoline starting in July.

04/29/2026

New financial results reported by Visa show the credit card network is seeing a huge increase in profits fueled partly by “swipe” fees on gasoline and diesel prices, the Merchants Payments Coalition said today. Visa reported Tuesday that net profits for the quarter ending March 31 were up 32% year over year, totaling $6 billion on revenue of $11.2 billion.

New financial results reported by Visa show the credit card network is seeing a huge increase in profits fueled partly by “swipe” fees on gasoline and diesel prices, MPC said. Visa reported that net profits for the quarter ending March 31 were up 32% year over year, totaling $6 billion on revenu...

04/28/2026

The Iran war — and its impact on gas and energy prices — is taking a toll on consumers’ confidence.

The Iran war — and its impact on gas and energy prices — is taking a toll on consumers’ confidence.

04/23/2026

Consumers will spend an average of $284.25 on gifts this Mother's Day. See more Mother's Day spending data: https://bit.ly/4crGjN3