The National Retail Federation named Sen. Ashley Moody a 2026 “Hero of Main Street,” recognizing her legislative record on issues affecting small businesses and the broader retail sector.
NRF established the award in 2013 to honor a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers. Recipients are selected based on key legislative votes, bill sponsorship, and overall advocacy for policies aligned with retail industry priorities.
“It is an honor to be recognized as the 2026 Hero of Main Street by the National Retail Federation. From family-owned small businesses to major employers, Florida’s retailers drive opportunity and play a vital role in our state’s continued growth,” Moody said. “They support more than 4 million jobs and contribute more than $159.5 billion to Florida’s economy – helping grow our state’s economy to the 14th largest economy in the world.”
Retail serves as one of Florida’s primary employment drivers, accounting for 387,000 establishments across the state. According to industry data, the sector supports over 4 million local jobs—roughly 28 percent of Florida’s workforce—and generates more than $94 billion in direct labor income.
Nationwide, retail stands as the largest private-sector employer, supporting 55 million jobs and contributing $5.3 trillion annually to the U.S. gross domestic product.
“From the merchants who helped found our nation to the retailers serving communities today, retail has played a critical role in America for the past 250 years,” said David French, NRF executive vice president of government relations. “NRF is proud to recognize Senator Moody as a ‘Hero of Main Street’ for her commitment to advancing policies that ensure the retail industry continues to drive our economy forward.”
Prior to her service in the Senate, Moody worked on retail-focused initiatives during her tenure as Florida Attorney General. In 2021, she partnered with the Florida Retail Federation to create the Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange.
The initiative established a statewide database allowing law enforcement, prosecutors, and retail businesses to share incident data, track regional theft trends, and coordinate investigations into organized retail theft rings. During that period, she also advocated for legislative updates to increase state penalties for organized retail crime.
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