UNT faculty members available to comment on Texas' tax-free shopping weekend
For the 13th year in a row, shoppers in Texas will not pay local sales taxes on most items of clothing and footwear priced under $100 during the state's annual sales tax holiday, which will be Aug. 17-19 (Friday-Sunday) this year. For the third year in a row, shoppers also will have a sales tax break on most school supplies under $100 that are purchased during the weekend.
Two University of North Texas faculty members are available to discuss topics related to the weekend.
Richard Last, lecturer of merchandising, is available to discuss the importance of the tax free shopping weekend to retailers, including online retailers.
"The tax-free weekend is critical for retailers as it sets the pace for the back-to-school selling season, and the back-to-school shopping mood is a key indicator for the all-important holiday shopping season," he said. "For online selling, the tax-free weekend as a promotional tool and reason to buy rivals most other promotional messages, even deep discount messages."
Last is a past member of the board of directors of the National Retail Federation and the chairman emeritus of the board of Shop.org, In addition, he is the founder of JCPenney's website, jcp.com, and the former president of JCP Ecommerce L.P., and former director of digital ventures for J.C. Penney Co. Inc. He directs the digital retail bachelor's degree program in UNT's College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism.
Cell phone: 214-244-1595
Email: rich.last@unt.edu
Dr. Terry Clower, director of UNT's Center for Economic Development and Research and an associate professor of applied economics, will discuss the economic impact of the tax-free shopping weekend on the state of Texas.
Clower has performed consulting services to municipalities and companies in the electronics, telecommunications and publishing industries, with a focus on rural development, labor relations, tax policies and market performance issues. He has also taught courses in economic and community development and the political economy of Texas.
E-mail: TClower@unt.edu
Cell phone number: 214-202-4692
Office phone number: 940-565-4049
UNT News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108
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