Which Retailers Spend The Most On Lobbying?

Last year, the National Retail Federation spent $12.9 million on lobbying efforts. Walmart and CVS shelled out $6.9 million and $6.4 million respectively. These trade groups and companies were the the top retail sector spenders on lobbying in 2017. Collectively, spending by retailers and retail trade groups totaled $58.1 million in 2017, a significant increase from the $46.1 million spent the year prior, according to data collected through Open Secrets, an arm of the Center for Responsive Politics that produces a database on lobbying spending. Looking at the trend line over the last 10 years, retailers — and corporations more broadly — have dramatically increased the amount of money spent on lobbying in Washington. Back in 2007, retailers and industry groups collectively paid out just $22.5 million. Corporations weren’t always so directly involved in Washington, and the increased presence of big companies — both financially and physically — appears to signal a new normal for mixing business and politics. Overall, the retail industry lobbies primarily on trade policy, taxes, antitrust and labor and workplace laws. Read more at Retail Dive.