Swampscott Retailer Honored by National Group

By Adam Swift

A Swampscott retailer was recognized by the National Retail Federation for her engagement in grassroots and advocacy efforts on local, state, and federal issues affecting the retail industry.

Erin Calvo-Bacci, owner of Bacci Chocolate Design in Swampscott and The Chocolate Truffle in Reading, was named as the NRF’s America’s Retail Champion of the Year on at the Retail Advocates Summit in Washington, DC on Tuesday night.

“Working to advance the retail industry’s public policy priorities on Capitol Hill and beyond the beltway is a top priority,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “This week we have the opportunity to bring retailers from all over the country together in Washington and we are thrilled to recognize the industry’s leading advocates as America’s Retail Champions.”

Shay said retailers need people like Calvo-Bacci to make sure the industry’s message is heard and understood.

“Erin is an effective retail spokeswoman who works hard on grassroots efforts and engages in a wide range of public policy discussions,” said Shay. “She is an industry leader who truly makes a difference.”

Calvo-Bacci was chosen from five finalists who included Marc Sherman of Stowe Mercantile in Stowe, Vt.; Michael Thompson of Thompson Pool and Patio in Norman, Okla.; Tina Wilcoxson of Royal River Natural Food in Freeport, Maine, and George Wilder of The Locker Room in Montgomery, Ala.

“This means a great deal to me because I am very passionate about getting involved in this industry and to really want to make a difference,” said Calvo-Bacci. “All of us retailers here tonight are the ones who are going to make changes, we are all here to be the change for our industry.”

NRF’s Retail Across America team will head to New England next month to recognize Calvo-Bacci as part of the organization’s This Is Retail campaign. NRF will work with the state retail associations in Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and Vermont to produce a documentary series highlighting retail’s positive impact on careers, communities and innovation.

NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries.