News

Bill Hallan column: 3rd grade math – A lesson in time management

MRA President and CEO William J.Hallan

By WILLIAM J. HALLAN – MRA President and CEO

I’m always a little bit disheartened when I walk into a business and I see a merchant using Square to process their credit card transactions.

Michigan Retailers embedded in new CEO’s DNA

MRA President and CEO William J.Hallan

By MATT VANDE BUNTE

Almost two decades ago, Bill Hallan was helping merchants all across Michigan. He spent a summer in college going from store to store, installing or reprogramming standalone credit card terminals that would dial out over a telephone line.

Son succeeds father as CEO of nation’s largest state retail association

Already two decades ago, Bill Hallan was helping merchants all across Michigan. He spent a summer in college going from store to store, installing or reprogramming standalone credit card terminals that would dial out over a telephone line.

New overtime rule, expungement, and vapor product transport guidance

In this issue:

  • U.S. Department of Labor issues final overtime rule
  • State releases transportation/return guidance on flavored vaping products
  • MRA’s marketplace bills one step closer to completion
  • House takes testimony on automatic expungement of certain crimes
  • House declares Oct.

August shows strong retail sales

Retail sales have had ups and downs this year, but August helped make up for the slow periods.

The August Retail Index survey came in at 60.1, a decrease from August 2018’s 73.2,

Flavored vaping ban details, budget shutdown what ifs

In this issue:

  • Flavored vaping products cannot be sold after Oct. 1
  • What happens if the state shuts down?
  • Governor proclaims Oct. 4-6 as Buy Nearby Weekend
  • Regulatory round-up

Flavored vaping products cannot be sold after Oct.

Flavored e-cig product ban, wage theft bills introduced

In this issue:

  • Agreement reached to complete the budget before roads
  • Governor announces flavored vaping/alternative nicotine product ban
  • E-prescribing bills reported from house committee
  • Bills introduced to bolster AG’s wage theft task force
  • Governor proclaims September as Family Meals Month
  • Regulatory round-up

Agreement reached to complete the budget before roads

After much back and forth all year and parting shots all summer,

Hiring baby boomers: What you need to know

By Retailers Insurance Company

Baby boomers are altering the workforce. In an economic phase where employers are crying for talent, organizations that learn to accommodate and leverage older workers’ skills will reap benefits.