Retail sales and forecasts improve, but still cool
LANSING – Sales and short-term forecasts for Michigan retail businesses improved during February, but they still have a lot of frozen ground to make up after the extreme winter, according to the latest Michigan Retail Index,
The new shopper brain
By Kit Yarrow
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the JGA Retail Focus Online e-newsletter. Reprinted with permission from Kit Yarrow.
When Julie left her once-favorite clothing store empty-handed,
Governmental Affairs: March 14, 2014
Committee okays legislation to exempt some from UI taxes
The Senate Reforms, Restructuring, and Reinventing Committee reported out legislation (HB 4958) that would exempt employers from paying unemployment insurance taxes on H2B workers and J1 workers who are not eligible for unemployment benefits.
Governmental Affairs: February 28, 2014
Gov. Snyder calls for state action on Main Street Fairness
We have great news to report: Governor Snyder publicly stated his support for the legislature to take up Main Street Fairness legislation.
Governor adds momentum to Main St. Fairness
LANSING – Michigan’s retail industry applauded Governor Rick Snyder today for his support of Main Street Fairness legislation and said it accelerates momentum for passage of the Internet sales tax collection measure currently in the Michigan Legislature.
Retailers’ 2014 forecasts turn chilly
LANSING – Michigan retail businesses project only a 1.4 percent increase in their own sales this year, following a poor holiday shopping season and a worse January, according to the Michigan Retail Index,
More lessons from latest data breaches
I mentioned in a previous blog that all of us can learn from the massive retail data breaches that were announced during the holidays, and we should be using the knowledge as a tool to strengthen protection of our own data.
Governmental Affairs: February 14, 2014
Comprehensive recycling push begins
The state’s comprehensive recycling workgroup met yesterday and received DEQ Director Dan Wyant’s proposal. His plan was based on feedback from several meetings and only takes the first step toward establishing more recycling opportunities in Michigan,
Lessons to learn from latest data breaches
As almost everyone has heard, a number of large retailers suffered massive data breaches over the Christmas season. While all of the details around these attacks have not been made public,
