Since we put the Michigan Retail Index survey online at the beginning of this year, members find it easier to provide comments. We will publish a selection of members’ comments each month.

No names are included because survey participation is anonymous.

“Michigan is becoming a ghost town. A lot of younger college kids and families are leaving to find better employment and conditions.”

“Our sales in the last four months have been up, down, up, down, with many price increases beginning that will color our sales results, since increases may all be inflation related.”

“March sales volume was the highest for any month since January 1980. Jan 2008 was 2nd highest and Feb 2008 was 3rd highest. Together it was the highest quarterly sales ever.”

“We’re concerned that people just aren’t spending it right now. The summer should be challenging.”

“We are hanging on—barely. Something needs to be done now for Michigan Retailers. We don’t even know at this point how the new tax schedule will affect our business.”

“The new Michigan Business Tax is nearly triple what our SBT was. If I didn’t own my building I would think about moving out of Michigan.”

“The first four months of 2008 are the worst start for us since 2003. Very few people moving around and what few are aren’t spending very much money.”