About Florida Retail News
The Sunshine State's dedicated source for retail industry news, analysis, and insight.
Our mission
Informing Florida's retail community since 2021
FloridaRetailNews.org was founded with a single purpose: to give Florida's retail industry the dedicated, authoritative coverage it deserves. From independent boutiques in St. Augustine to major retail chains anchoring South Florida's shopping centers, the businesses that drive Florida's consumer economy have always deserved a publication that speaks directly to them.
We cover legislation, store openings, consumer spending trends, technology adoption, and the business stories that shape the industry across all 67 Florida counties. Our reporting is independent, fact-checked, and written by journalists who understand retail — not generalists parachuting in for a trend piece.
Florida's retail sector employs more than 1.8 million people and generates over $200 billion in annual sales. It deserves serious journalism. That's what we're here to provide.
All 67 Florida counties — statewide coverage
Editorial standards
Independent. Accurate. Florida-focused.
FloridaRetailNews.org operates with full editorial independence. Our coverage decisions are made by our editorial team, not by advertisers or industry associations. We follow the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics and correct errors promptly and transparently.
All stories are reviewed by at least one editor before publication. We seek comment from all parties named in our reporting and clearly distinguish between news reporting, analysis, and opinion.
The team
Meet our editorial staff
Sandra Whitfield
Editor-in-Chief
Tampa, FL
Sandra has covered Florida business and retail for more than 15 years, previously at the Tampa Bay Times and Florida Trend magazine. She founded FloridaRetailNews.org in 2021.
Marcus Delgado
Senior Reporter, Legislation & Policy
Tallahassee, FL
Marcus covers the Florida Legislature and state regulatory agencies with a focus on retail and small business policy. He is based in Tallahassee and has reported on Florida government for a decade.
Priya Nair
Reporter, Consumer Trends & Technology
Orlando, FL
Priya covers consumer spending data, retail technology, and e-commerce trends affecting Florida businesses. She holds an MBA from the University of Florida and previously worked in retail analytics.
James Okafor
Reporter, South Florida Markets
Miami, FL
James covers retail in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, with a focus on luxury retail, international brands, and the region's unique consumer demographics.
Lena Kowalski
Data & Research Editor
Jacksonville, FL
Lena manages FloridaRetailNews.org's data journalism and research initiatives, producing the quarterly Florida Retail Index and annual industry outlook reports.
Carlos Reyes
Multimedia Producer
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Carlos produces video, photography, and visual storytelling for FloridaRetailNews.org, documenting Florida retail from the Panhandle to the Keys.
For Advertisers & Partners
Reach Florida's independent retail audience
Florida Retail News reaches local, regional, and franchised merchants across the state — a built-in audience for anyone selling into Florida's retail, real estate, or hospitality industries.
- Display and newsletter advertising for local and regional businesses.
- Sponsored content and branded storytelling that fits our editorial voice.
- Event and webinar sponsorships tied to retail trends and industry milestones.
- Marketplace listings for commercial space, job openings, and retail services.
Revenue Streams
How the bureau sustains itself
- Advertising & sponsorships
- Premium subscriptions & newsletters
- Events, webinars & conferences
- Consulting & market research
- Marketplace & classifieds listings
- Grants, partnerships & crowdfunding
One Family of Brands
Part of the Florida Retail Holdings network
Florida Retail News is the media arm of a connected ecosystem serving Florida's retail, real estate, and hospitality industries. It builds public authority and drives traffic back into the network.
Florida Retail Brokers' Network
Brokerage and tenant representation for commercial real estate across Florida.
Visit site →Florida Retail Scholarships
Scholarships, mentorship, and internship opportunities for students statewide.
Visit site →Florida Retail Council
A professional network connecting merchants, service providers, and partners.
Visit site →FloridaRetail.com
The digital hub connecting and supporting every division behind the scenes.
Visit site →Our story
Built for Florida retail, by Florida journalists
FloridaRetailNews.org launched in January 2021 as a newsletter serving a few hundred retail industry professionals. Within its first year, it had grown into a full editorial operation with a dedicated reporting staff and a readership spanning every major retail market in the state.
Today, our weekly newsletter reaches retail executives, store owners, commercial real estate professionals, legislators, and industry analysts. Our website draws readers from across Florida and from national retail companies with significant Florida operations.
We remain independently owned and operated, with no affiliation to any trade association, retail chain, or political organization. Our only obligation is to our readers and to accurate, useful journalism about the industry that shapes Florida's economy.
Have a story tip or press release?
We welcome story tips, press releases, and editorial inquiries from retailers, PR professionals, and industry stakeholders across Florida.
Contact our newsroom