TMCnet News
International Council of Shopping Centers Poll: Increasing Support for Congressional Action on E-Fairness [Professional Services Close - Up](Professional Services Close - Up Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) released the results of a national poll finding that a majority of Americans support the Congressional effort to require online retailers to collect sales tax at the point-of-purchase. According to a release, the poll was conducted before the holiday shopping season to gauge consumer sentiment about online sales and use tax collection. ICSC strongly supports two bills currently under consideration in Congress--the Marketplace Fairness Act and the Marketplace Equity Act--which are designed to level the playing field for all retailers. "Support for a federal solution to the problem that has plagued brick-and-mortar retailers across the country for more than two decades has never been stronger," said Michael Kercheval, president and CEO of ICSC. "With bills in the House and the Senate that have strong bipartisan support, we expect Congressional supporters of the legislation to push for passage during the lame-duck session," added Kercheval. The ICSC national poll identified a number of key findings, including: -59 percent of respondents support the Congressional effort to require online retailers to collect sales tax at the point-of- purchase, up three percentage points since May. -71 percent of consumers are motivated to shop locally because 68 cents of every dollar spent at a locally-owned retailer stays in the community. -88 percent of consumers who currently shop online would continue to do so if taxes were collected at the point-of-purchase. When told that 68 cents of every dollar spent at a locally-owned retailer stay in the community, seven in 10 Americans opt to shop at local brick-and-mortar stores. "Local retailers invest in their communities and play a significant role in the overall quality of life in the places we call home," said Betsy Laird, senior vice president of global public policy. "This is clearly an issue that matters to consumers, and we are working closely with Congress to get the bills passed and signed into law this year," added Laird. ICSC is a global trade association of the shopping center industry. More information: www.21stcenturyretail.org www.icsc.org ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) (c) 2012 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |