The CFDA – led by President and CEO Steven Kolb and Executive Vice President Lisa Smilor – played a key role in organizing and delivering a letter to President Trump on Saturday.

The goal: to secure Federal Government support amid the severe fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen coast-to-coast offices and retail closures.

The CFDA worked closely with the National Retail Federation (NRF) and the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) with support from retail CEOs.

“The economic harm from social distancing and mandatory store closures is real. Layoffs and economic hardship will surely follow, particularly for smaller, specialty retailers and brands,” the letter stated. “The biggest single issue facing the industry right now is liquidity, and federal stimulus efforts must be swift and flexible enough to address the urgent need for access to credit to keep these businesses afloat.”

The retail industry supports 52 million working Americans and retailers are committed to sustaining their workforce through temporary store closures.

Liquidity is key according to the 90 national and state retail organizations that signed the letter.

“While some retail businesses may be considered ‘essential’ and may be able to remain open, many will not,” they stated, “It is important that the stimulus package provide a bridge, not a bailout, that is flexible enough for retailers and related suppliers of any size.”

The letter was also delivered to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer.