About We Are Retail

Retail is important to Illinois. Retail provides one out of every four Illinois jobs, and it generates the second largest amount of tax revenue for the state and is the largest source of revenue for local governments. But we also know retail is so much more than just numbers and revenue.

Every retailer has a story to tell. From family businesses stretching generations to budding entrepreneurs, neighborhood staples and new pop-up ventures, retailers are the faces we see repeatedly, the answers to our everyday needs and the trusted contributors to life’s moments – big and small. WE ARE RETAIL shares the stories of Illinois independent retailers through videos, photos and blogs. Created by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, the WE ARE RETAIL campaign is designed to raise awareness of the impact retailers have on our lives and in our communities.

Being a retailer requires passion, dedication, tenacity and heart. We invite you to learn more about what motivates retailers, as they share how the profession can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding. The products and services they provide may vary, but every story proudly proclaims: WE ARE RETAIL.