Our History

A statewide trade association founded in 1937, the Florida Retail Federation (FRF) protects Florida's retailers by lobbying the state Legislature and providing cost-saving services.  FRF was founded to promote a healthy, free enterprise system in Florida.  Our purpose is to strengthen and support a favorable business environment where retailers and their suppliers can grow and prosper.  By protecting Florida's retail industry, FRF is preserving and fostering the foundation of our country's economy.

Florida Chain Store Association, Inc., forms as a for-profit corporation with headquarters in Orlando to represent public-relations interests of large chain stores. Charles Korbley is unofficial manager.

Office officially opens June 1 at 26 Wall Street, Orlando. As­sociation hires Chester Treadway as chief executive.  He comes from the Florida State Road Board.

Association expands to include smaller chain stores.

Headquarters moves to Jacksonville, where most members are located.

James E. Gorman becomes managing director.  He is from Columbus, Ga., Chamber of Commerce.

Independently owned stores join association.

Florida Chain Store Association dissolves and reemerges as the Retail Merchants Division of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, an independent entity.  Association changes its name to Florida Re­tail Federation (FRF). Membership endorses policy of leg­islative involvement for first time.

FRF re-charters independent of the Cham­ber of Commerce, but continues to work from the chamber’s headquarters.

Colin Lindsey of Belk-Lindsey Stores, Inc., is elected first president of the board of the independent FRF.

FRF relocates to Lynch Building in Jacksonville.

American Retail Federation recognizes FRF as sole repre­sentative of retailing in Florida.

FRF absorbs Florida State Retailers Association in a merger.

Florida Retail Federation Self Insurers Fund (FRF SIF) for workers’ compensation insurance is launched. Summit Consulting, Inc., in Lakeland administers fund.

FRF headquarters moves to Tallahassee for more effective representation of retailers in legislative process. Govern­ment affairs becomes top priority. W. “Bill” Kundrat, Jr., becomes FRF president and general manager on October 1. Kundrat comes from the Louisiana Retailers Association.

Membership tops 1,000. James Gorman retires.

FRF moves to its current location Gallie’s Hall, adjacent to the Florida Capitol Complex.

Bill Kundrat retires.  William C. Rustin becomes President and CEO. Bill comes from North Carolina Retail Merchants Association.

 1998

FRF SIF is the largest self insurance fund in Florida.

Richard A. McAllister becomes President and CEO.  Rick comes from the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association.

The Florida Retail Beverage Council (RBC) is formed.  RBC represents single-store alcohol beverage operators to large chains.  An RBC highlight each year is its Educational Seminar and Trade Show.

OrdinanceWatch is formed.  This unique web-based service detects, tracks and reports on proposed local government ordinances in all of Florida’s 67 counties and its 105 largest municipalities.  OrdinanceWatch is a service of Florida Retail Federation Services, Inc.

Florida Bankcard Solutions is added to FRF’s portfolio of services.  This service helps retailers throughout the state to save money on processing credit card transactions and maximizing their savings and profit potential.  Florida Bankcard Solutions is a service of Florida Retail Federation Services, Inc.

FRF Membership tops 10,000!

Florida Retail Masters program is created.  This is an intense leadership development program designed exclusively for up-and-coming retail executives from all sizes and types of businesses.  It is at the heart of the Florida Retail Foundation’s educational activities.

 2005-  2006

FRF purchases downtown property for future development of mixed-use building project.

Team Retail is formed, which includes our professional staff, our consultants, and most importantly, our member volunteers and leaders.  Team Retail has strengthened our industry and our association on a variety of fronts.

More than two decades of hard work finally paid off in 2006 with the repeal of Joint and Several Liability.  This was a tremendous landmark victory in tort reform.  Other 2006 Legislative Session highlights included passage of three tax-free holidays and addressing the pedigree papers issue of concern to chain drug stores.

Team Retail contributed more than $1.6 million during this election cycle to approximately 125 friend-of-business campaigns.  To facilitate the increased political activity, FRF expanded its committees of continuous existence from 4 to 10.