News

Michigan retail sales up, bucking national trend

LANSING – Michigan retailers are on a roll, with June marking the fourth straight month of positive year-over-year sales, according to the Michigan Retail Index, a joint project of Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

Emergency backup plan makes for smoother ride

Mayleben

John Mayleben, CPP, is a consultant to Michigan Retailers Association and is MRA’s retired senior vice president technology and new product development. He is a national expert on electronic payment processing and was the first person in Michigan and among the first in the nation to receive the Certified Payments Professional (CPP) designation from the national Electronic Transactions Association.

Another one (in 76 million) bites the dust

by Tom Scott, MRA Senior Vice President Communications and Marketing

Note: Publisher Jim Hallan invited Michigan Retailer Editor Tom Scott to use his column for a farewell on the eve of retirement after 24 years with MRA.

Michigan retail sales jumped in May

LANSING – Michigan retailers posted their strongest performance of the year in May, pushing up sales by 12 points on the Michigan Retail Index, a joint project of Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

Gov’t Affairs News: summer break, budgets, and more

Legislature leaves for summer break

This week the legislature adjourned for its annual summer recess. Well, mostly. Each chamber designates one session day in July and August in order to take up any urgent business that may arise during the break.

Coming soon: a 20 percent tax on consumer goods?

Imagine paying an additional 20 percent tax on many of the products you sell. It would be a budget-busting expense for most retailers. But that’s exactly what will happen if Congress passes a Border Adjustment Tax (BAT) as part of its larger tax reform plan.

Striking a balance when monitoring workplace

by William J. Hallan, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel

Balance is not easy to achieve. Especially when it comes to maintaining employee privacy while also protecting your business interests.

Gov’t Affairs News: Concealed carry, “Tobacco 21,” and more

Concealed carry without permit

The House narrowly approved legislation on Wednesday that would allow anyone, with or without a permit or training, to carry a concealed weapon. The legislation, HB 4416

Gov’t Affairs News: swipe fee victory, alcohol reforms and more

Swipe fee victory in Congress

Earlier this week we learned that leaders in Congress removed language that would have repealed debit swipe fee reform (often referred to as the Durbin Amendment) from a bill that makes broad reforms to the Dodd-Frank banking laws.