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The Newstand
1 minute read
Motivated by a fear that retailers will try to disadvantage consumers, more than 30 states are...
1 minute read
If you need any further proof that the wheels of federal legislation move at an excruciatingly slow...
1 minute read
Not long ago, our marketing team put us through a brand exercise for Retailers Insurance...
3 minute read
Before most people in Grand Rapids wake up, workers at Schuil Coffee Company are already busy....
2 minute read
This year marks the 13th Buy Nearby Weekend celebration, encouraging shoppers to “Keep Your Money...
2 minute read
Consumer behavior is ever-evolving, and rapidly so, especially since the development of e-commerce....
3 minute read
Michael Graham believes retail is about understanding customers and meeting their needs, even if...
1 minute read
Growing up with parents as small business owners has exposed me from a very young age to how...
1 minute read
Detroit is a city on the rise. Over the past decade, we’ve seen rising household incomes, a growing...
1 minute read
The Questions We’re Asking Candidates in 2026 2026 is a significant election year for Michigan. The...
1 minute read
The sitcom Arrested Development once demonstrated the ignorance of its comically out-of-touch...
1 minute read
Michigan Retailers Association hosted Capitol Day on April 22. The event brings retailers together...
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1 minute read
Overview Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) is located in Lansing and provides legislative...
2 minute read
Promotions and hiring see increases, while 3-month outlook dips Michigan Retailers Association...
2 minute read
Michigan’s Declining Retail Sales Continue through the First Quarter Michigan Retailers Association...
1 minute read
Retail signage is a key tool for communicating with customers, but also subject to several legal...
1 minute read
Spring is here, and with the season comes sidewalk sales. Maximize the impact of your sidewalk sale...
3 minute read
Signage can be one of the most cost-effective marketing investments for retailers, with on-premise...
4 minute read
Travelers visiting northern Michigan have been coming through the doors of Teysen’s Gifts Inc. for...
1 minute read
Numerator’s annual holiday shopping survey asked over 5,300 consumers to share their celebration,...
2 minute read
For retailers, one of the most important components of ADA compliance is providing reasonable...
3 minute read
The Supreme Court ruling, the Michigan perspective, and possible next steps On Feb. 20, 2026, the...
1 minute read
Is 2026 the Year of Analog? In a society dominated by screens, a recent trend suggests that there’s...
1 minute read
The United States tariff landscape is currently in flux following a major court decision that...
2 minute read
Three-month outlook sees turbulence with a 10-point drop in sales outlook score, while inventory,...
1 minute read
Michigan Retailers Association announces the results of a member survey on the impact of tariffs on...
2 minute read
Frigid, Snowy January Slowed Shoppers Michigan Retailers Association reports that January 2026’s...
2 minute read
Great retail experiences are built on respect, clarity, and human connection. Disability etiquette,...
3 minute read
When Lindsay Fork opened the doors to her first Luxe Redux Bridal boutique in 2011, she wasn’t...
3 minute read
Revisiting Michigan’s “Open and Obvious” Doctrine In December, the American Tort Reform Association...
3 minute read
For five generations, DeVries Jewelers has been a fixture on its Grand Rapids’ neighborhood...
1 minute read
The power of a first impression should not be underestimated—especially for retail businesses....
1 minute read
Michigan Retailers Association is looking for Retail Ambassadors who go above and beyond to...
1 minute read
On a recent flight, I checked Uber and Lyft as my plane touched down. By the time I’d shuffled off...
1 minute read
This Michigan Retailer proudly shines a spotlight on our member bridal stores, jewelers, and others...
1 minute read
Patterns Within Memoirs I’ve been on a bit of an audiobook kick lately. Reading has always been one...
2 minute read
3-Month Sales Outlook Sees a Historical Record High Michigan Retailers Association reports that...
1 minute read
Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) launched its annual scholarship competition on Jan. 1, 2026....
2 minute read
3-Month Sales Outlook Sees a Record High for 2025
2 minute read
ADA compliance isn’t just a legal requirement — it’s a way to make your business more welcoming,...
2 minute read
MRA Adds Additional Platinum Legacy Scholarship for 2026 Program Year, Will Award $52,500
1 minute read
This year, the United States Treasury stopped minting the penny, which, for many years, has cost...
4 minute read
More than a decade before earning statewide acclaim for fine dining and one of Michigan’s deepest...
2 minute read
Tony Brown had lived far from Sault Ste. Marie for decades, but when he walked into U.P. Tire Inc....
1 minute read
2025 was a fairly sluggish year for the Michigan Legislature. A few major pieces of legislation...
1 minute read
For locally-owned businesses, community is more than where you do business. It’s one of your most...
1 minute read
We’re only a few months away from MRA’s annual Capitol Day and Legislative Reception!
1 minute read
After 43 long days, the federal government’s longest-ever shutdown has mercifully come to an end;...
1 minute read
Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite days of the year. My sister hosted this year and my...
2 minute read
MRA shines a light on local retailers with a $500 giveaway for shoppers, and an impressive list of...
3 minute read
Michigan Retailers Association reports that October 2025’s Michigan Retail Index score came in at...
1 minute read
MRA seeks Michigan businesses with e-commerce websites to feature through the holiday shopping...
2 minute read
Retail Index Reports First Positive Sales Month Since May 2025 LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Retailers...
1 minute read
As the new director of Michigan’s unemployment insurance program, my goal is to amplify the...
2 minute read
On the shore of Torch Lake, Carter Candles is keeping an old family tradition burning while...
1 minute read
For over a decade, online sales have grown to account for a significant percentage of total retail...
1 minute read
What is the Michigan Retail Index? A monthly, anonymous, fast, and easy-to-submit survey that...
1 minute read
From October 3-5, Michigan Retailers Association celebrated the state’s retailers and small...
1 minute read
What is card skimming? Card skimming is a widespread criminal act where covert hardware is...
1 minute read
Michigan Monday is Dec. 1, 2025 Cyber Monday is Cancelled The ways shoppers can support Michigan’s...
1 minute read
Because I’m a nerd for politics, I like to quiz people: can you name your elected officials? It’s a...
1 minute read
A couple of weeks ago the MRA Government Affairs team traveled to Chicago for the annual conference...
1 minute read
When Elizabeth Suarez opened Tienda La Palma in June, she knew she was taking a risk. The specialty...
Medicare open enrollment will be happening from Oct. 15, 2025 to Dec. 7, 2025 with an effective...
1 minute read
Thank you to our members, partners, associates, and friends for the wave of congratulations and...
2 minute read
Law Changes Coming in October and November 2025 House Passes Chip-Enabled SNAP Card Legislation On...
2 minute read
Michigan Retailers Association to give away over $1,000 in prizes during shop-local celebration Buy...
2 minute read
Michigan Retailers Association to give away over $1,000 in prizes for the 2025 Buy Nearby Weekend...
2 minute read
Retail Index 3-Month Optimism Climbs Michigan Retailers Association reports that August 2025’s...
1 minute read
Michigan Retailers Association encourages consumers to shop local, support small businesses, and...
4 minute read
The fight against gift card fraud takes a significant leap forward today with the announcement that...
2 minute read
July 2025 Michigan Retail Index Michigan Retailers Association reports that July 2025’s Retail...
1 minute read
Your brand is your business' identity. It's more than a logo and colors. It's more than cohesive...
2 minute read
The Fate Brothers' Recipe to Keep a 103-Year-Old Market Thriving When brothers Adam and Paul Fate...
2 minute read
SNAP Cuts to Impact Retailers The President's spending bill, signed into law in July, featured the...
1 minute read
Michigan has made great strides in combating retail crime in the 13 years since the Organized...
1 minute read
Michigan Retailers Association is proud to introduce the talented graphic designer behind our new...
1 minute read
In June, I reported on Trump v. CASA, Inc., et al which was argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in...
1 minute read
Over the past several months, Michigan Retailers Association’s Marketing and Communications team...
1 minute read
After 85 years of advocacy and service to the state’s retailers and small businesses, Michigan...
2 minute read
Retail Index shows sales up year-over-year
2 minute read
Retailers Adjust to Uncertainty and Predict Steadier Summer Sales
1 minute read
As the nation’s largest state retail trade association, Michigan Retailers Association has an...
2 minute read
On the Shores of Lake Superior, Resort Operators Rely on MRA’s Retail Tools By Shandra Martinez
1 minute read
Retailers from every corner of Michigan gathered in Lansing on April 23 for MRA’s 2025 Capitol Day...
3 minute read
By Shandra Martinez
1 minute read
We know creative marketing is important, and that good marketing can make or break a business. But...
1 minute read
Law Changes Coming in June and July 2025 Michigan’s Slow Budget Summer With divided government and...
2 minute read
A few weeks ago, I was in Washington, D.C. where I had the opportunity to meet Chief Justice John...
1 minute read
Michigan retailers have a global reach, sourcing products and serving customers around the world....
1 minute read
For 85 years, the core mission of Michigan Retailers Association has been to advocate for our...
4 minute read
Michigan Retailers Association is awarding 14 college students with scholarships totaling $49,000...
2 minute read
Retailers Predict Similar Sales Through July
2 minute read
Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) has released results from a May 2025 member survey regarding...
2 minute read
Retailers Report Lowest 3-Month Outlook Since 2023
1 minute read
Every year many of us go through the usual spring cleaning routine including tasks like...
1 minute read
In March, I had the pleasure of attending Crain’s Power Breakfast, themed “Women Who Mean...
1 minute read
This is your opportunity to celebrate small businesses, all month long. Whether you’re pouring...
2 minute read
By Rachel Schrauben Photos By Alison Jakubcin for the Alpena DDA In 2020, social districts were...
2 minute read
A conversation between MRA’s VP of Government Affairs, Andrew Beardslee, and MRA’s VP of...
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