NRF worked with market research firm GfK to survey retail small business owners to gauge their views on the business environment, the health of their businesses and whether public policies that affect their operations support or hinder prospects for growth.

“It’s time for lawmakers, policymakers and candidates to take a hard look at how burdensome regulations are stifling America’s entrepreneurial spirit,” Shay said.

The survey revealed that while small retailers are generally optimistic about the future, they are increasingly concerned about the growing volume and cost of government regulations. Among the findings:

• The vast majority (81 percent) say regulations weaken the appeal of owning a business.
• Nearly seven-in-ten (69 percent) say they are “overwhelmed by regulations, rules, and mandates,” including labor regulations, health care mandates, tax codes and safety guidelines.
• Less than half (44 percent) believe government regulations achieve their objectives.

Concerns were consistent regardless of political ideology and age, with majorities of conservatives and liberals, Millennials and older generations saying they were worried about regulations.

The survey also looked at attitudes toward specific policies. Seventy-nine percent of small retailers support efforts to lower federal tax rates by eliminating tax loopholes, and 73 percent of small retailers are concerned by the complexity of the federal tax code.

Nearly 60 percent believe proposed regulations to fine companies that allow flexible employee schedules due to changing worker demands or business needs would hurt their businesses. Overtime expansion proposed by the Labor Department would likely result in negative consequences for nearly half (44 percent) of small business owners, according to the survey. And more than one-third (37 percent) of small retailers say raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour would either cause their business to fail or threaten its existence.

The full report is available at nrf.com/burdeningsmallretailers.