Contact: Bill G. Smith at (608) 255-6083
Madison – The National Federation of Independent Business, Wisconsin
Chapter (NFIB), the state’s leading small business organization, has released the results of a recent
survey study that shows small business owners are strongly opposed to legislation that would repeal the
state’s Unfair Sales Act.
“The NFIB supports the current Unfair Sales Act, not to protect small business from the workings of the
free market,” said Bill G. Smith, NFIB State Director, “but to provide small business owners every
opportunity to succeed and prosper in a marketplace with vigorous, yet fair competition.”
The NFIB survey results show 62 percent of the respondents believe the current law helps promote a more
competitive retail environment, which results in greater consumer choice from more retailers at
competitive prices.
“To the extent that we lose Main Street businesses to the mega-retailers, we lose vital contributors to our
communities, real competition is lost and consumers lose choice, price, and service. Keeping
communities strong means supporting our Main Street businesses,” said Smith.
Legislation has been introduced in the State Assembly and Senate that would eliminate Wisconsin’s
Unfair Sales Act, which was enacted in 1939 to prevent smaller firms from predatory pricing practices of
big business, and requires all competitors – big and small – to play by the same rules.
“The purpose of the Act,” said Smith, “is not to artificially increase consumer prices as some claim, but
to promote a competitive marketplace that will guarantee consumers receive both fair competitive pricing
and maximum choice for their purchasing dollars.”
NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in
1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the
public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists send their views directly to state
and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free
enterprise system. More information can be found at www.NFIB.com.
