NCRMA (North Carolina Retail Merchants Association)

06/04/2026

It is time for North Carolina to meet consumers where they are and allow retailers to sell low-alcohol premixed cocktails like 32 other states. These beverages have less alcohol than many items already on retailers’ shelves but because these beverages are spirit based they must be sold at ABC stores.

https://www.carolinajournal.com/opinion/time-to-change-ncs-outdated-ready-to-drink-cocktail-laws/

NC law should not force consumers toward malt-based alternatives simply because those products fit more neatly into older regulatory categories.

05/15/2026

Let’s talk retail.

The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA) is hiring a Director of Communications - and this is not just any comms role.

Retail is one of the most dynamic, fast-moving, and community-rooted industries in North Carolina. From independent Main Street storefronts to national brands with a major footprint in our state, our members are shaping how North Carolinians live, work, and connect every day.

This role sits at the center of it all.

We’re looking for someone who can tell that story - clearly, creatively, and strategically. Someone who can translate advocacy into impact, elevate member voices, build a cohesive brand, and help us show up consistently for our members, prospective members, and the public.

If you’re a communications professional who:
· Loves storytelling and strategy
· Is energized by advocacy and public policy
· And genuinely believes in the power and impact of the retail industry

…we’d love to talk.

📍 Raleigh, NC - In office
📄 Full job description:https://cdn.ymaws.com/ncrma.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/docs/ncrma_director_of_communicat.pdf
📅 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of May 22
📧 To apply, please send a resume and brief cover letter to [email protected]

05/14/2026

This National Police Week, Carolinas Organized Retail Crime Alliance - CORCA and NCRMA proudly recognize and thank the dedicated men and women in law enforcement who work every day to protect our communities and businesses.

Your partnership, sacrifice, and commitment to public safety make a lasting impact, and we are grateful for all you do to support retailers, families, and communities across North Carolina.

Thank you from all of us at CORCA and NCRMA for your service and continued partnership!

05/05/2026

Let’s talk retail.

The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA) is hiring a Director of Communications - and this is not just any comms role.

Retail is one of the most dynamic, fast-moving, and community-rooted industries in North Carolina. From independent Main Street storefronts to national brands with a major footprint in our state, our members are shaping how North Carolinians live, work, and connect every day.

This role sits at the center of it all.

We’re looking for someone who can tell that story - clearly, creatively, and strategically. Someone who can translate advocacy into impact, elevate member voices, build a cohesive brand, and help us show up consistently for our members, prospective members, and the public.

If you’re a communications professional who:
· Loves storytelling and strategy
· Is energized by advocacy and public policy
· And genuinely believes in the power and impact of the retail industry

…we’d love to talk.

📍 Raleigh, NC
📄 Full job description:https://cdn.ymaws.com/ncrma.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/docs/ncrma_director_of_communicat.pdf
📅 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of May 17
📧 To apply, please send a resume and brief cover letter to [email protected]

05/04/2026

Congratulations to NCRMA President and General Counsel, Andy Ellen for being named to the Business North Carolina 2026 Power List from Business North Carolina Magazine. We also want to congratulate NCRMA Members who were recognized.
See Page 146 for Retail Honorees. https://issuu.com/businessnc/docs/business_north_carolina_power_list_2026

John Cato, Cato Corp.
Tammy DeBoer, Harris Teeter
Marvin Ellison, Lowe’s Companies
Brian George, Alex Lee Inc.
Don Hendricks, Belk
Robert Ingle II, Ingles Markets
Omar Jorge, Compare Foods
Mark Lardie, Rack Room Shoes
Tim Lowe, Lowes Foods
Mack McLamb, Carlie C’s IGA
Art Pope, Variety Wholesalers
Stephen Yalof, Tanger

04/30/2026

As summer approaches, it is important for employers, parents, educators, and young workers to understand the rules and resources that support safe and lawful youth employment.

The Youth Employment Essentials: Laws, Rights, and Resources for Summer Work webinar series will kick off on May 5th at 1:00 p.m. ET with a federal session featuring the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This session will provide an overview of federal child labor laws and resources available to support young workers.

Federal Child Labor Compliance: May 5th @ 1:00 p.m. ET
3e6d0d14-b3c1-4144-a56c-591a98279123@75a63054-7204-4e0c-9126-adab971d4aca" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/3e6d0d14-b3c1-4144-a56c-591a98279123@75a63054-7204-4e0c-9126-adab971d4aca

The series will continue with free Youth Employment Resource Fairs focused on state-specific information and resources for participants who are hiring young workers or who want to better understand safe and legal employment opportunities for youth.

Register for the Carolinas Youth Employment Resource Fair below:
May 20th @ 1:00 p.m. ET: The Carolinas Youth Employment Resource Fair
665f8060-a01e-4497-b1d6-48b4b0b9b0da@75a63054-7204-4e0c-9126-adab971d4aca" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/665f8060-a01e-4497-b1d6-48b4b0b9b0da@75a63054-7204-4e0c-9126-adab971d4aca

We encourage you to register today and share this series with employers, parents, educators, young workers, and community partners in your network.

Reach out to Rachel Mast-Matos with questions at 470-305-8996 or [email protected].

04/22/2026

Local grocery stores do far more than keep shelves stocked—they help drive local economies and support families every day.

It was great to see McInnis For NC Senate (Tom McInnis) and Moore County leaders visit Carlie C's IGA. Owner Mack McLamb, a long-time NCRMA board member, continues to demonstrate the important role independent grocers play—creating jobs, expanding food access, and showing up when communities need them most.
That kind of leadership and impact is worth recognizing—and supporting.

https://www.thepilot.com/news/local-state-political-leaders-turn-out-to-support-robbins-grocer/article_1467f5fb-83ed-4af5-ab87-4258862de4d7.html

In the middle of the hustle and bustle of Monday afternoon grocery shoppers, local and state political officials were circled up near the meat section commending the value of the

04/20/2026

🎓 Make an Impact with Our Silent Auction 🎓

Our annual Silent Auction is quickly approaching, and we need your help to make it a success! Every donation directly supports our charitable foundation—funding twelve annual college scholarships and contributing $50,000 to Feeding the Carolinas food banks.

With our 2026 Scholarship Winners being announced soon, your support helps ensure we can continue creating these opportunities for students across North Carolina.

Please consider donating today and be part of something meaningful. 💙

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BJJ5ZV9

04/17/2026

Andy Ellen, Elizabeth Robinson, and Pam Burrus had a fantastic time volunteering at the bed build in Charlotte, joining an incredible group effort that blew past the 10,000-bed goal. The energy in the room was inspiring, and it was amazing to see so many people come together for such a meaningful cause. 💙

NCRMA was proud to be part of the Lowe's Home Improvement 24-Hour Bed Build, contributing to a hands-on initiative that directly supports children in need. Each bed built represents more than just furniture—it’s a safe, comfortable space where a child can rest, recharge, and simply be a kid.

Being able to play a small role in such a large impact is something we don’t take lightly. We’re grateful to partner with Sleep in Heavenly Peace and support their mission to ensure every child has a bed to call their own.

We were also joined by Woodson Bradley for NC - Woodson Bradley and some of our friends from Lowe's Home Improvement, Jana Barresi, Reginald Henderson, Robert Curis, ClayVon Lowe, IDSA, Tod Moore, Sean Conner and Courtney Reyes.

04/17/2026

Andy Ellen had the opportunity to join Food Lion with Teross Young, Sydney Stone, and members of the North Carolina General Assembly, Senator Jim Burgin, Rep. Howard Penny and Representative Joe Pike for a tour of Food Lion’s distribution center in Dunn, NC.

The scale and efficiency of this operation are remarkable – including moving more than 43,000 turkeys during Thanksgiving. This facility plays a critical role in keeping shelves stocked across Eastern North Carolina.

We also saw firsthand the innovation behind operations from banana ripening to emergency preparedness efforts - including thousands of pallets of emergency relief water ready for rapid deployment.

Most importantly, the tour brought to life the real impact behind Food Lion’s commitment to nourishing communities. From hunger relief efforts through Food Lion Feeds to everyday logistics, this is what investment in North Carolina looks like in action.

At NCRMA, we’re incredibly proud to represent retailers like Food Lion - employers and community partners who serve North Carolinians every day.