<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=24156229687339510&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">

Stay Updated on Retail-Related News

Read the latest on legislation and issues impacting Michigan's retailers and small businesses.
time 2 minute read

Michigan Retailers to Award $42k in College, Trade School Scholarships for 2023-24 Academic Year

Michigan Retailers Foundation, a division of Michigan Retailers Association, has kicked off its...
time 1 minute read

Michigan’s November Retail Index Hovers At Midpoint, Retailers Uncertain About 2023 Sales Levels

With 50 the breaking point of positive and negative sales, 52% of retailers report a positive...

Submit Your 2023 Scholarship Application Starting January 1!

The annual Michigan Retailers Scholarship competition begins on Jan. 1, 2023. Those eligible to...
time 1 minute read

Plan Your Year of Orders

Placing orders to stock your retail store can take time and effort, and knowing that the products...
time 1 minute read

Michigan Retail Sales Up for Thanksgiving Weekend, Consumers Encouraged to Buy Nearby

The Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) today reported that credit card sales were up 3.88 percent...

From the Archives: MRA Welcomes New Printing Press

Every now and then, we stumble upon gems from our archives. Back in 2002, MRA was saying farewell...
time 1 minute read

Benefits for Non-Retailers

Not a retailer? Not a problem. Dentist? Veterinarian? Chiropractor? Restaurant? Bar? Hotel?...

January and February Dates to Celebrate

Use these special dates as a reason to celebrate the start of 2023.

Spice Up the Season

Create a cozy atmosphere and take the chill off your winter blues We’re all aware of what January...
time 3 minute read

You asked, we answered: MRA’s Ask Us First Questions of the Year

MRA’s Ask Us First program connects members directly to our team to provide key information to help...
time 3 minute read

Resolutions For Return Fraud in the New Year

By: John Mayleben

Michigan Retail Index Survey

The Michigan Retail Index is a monthly gauge of key retail activity in Michigan and serves as an...
time 3 minute read

Regulatory News and Trends

Minimum wage increases to $10.10 – Effective Jan. 1, Michigan’s minimum wage rate will increase to...
time 1 minute read

Know Your Voice on Social Media

By: Andrea Bitely VP, Communications and Marketing
time 1 minute read

Legally Speaking: Credit Card Competition Act of 2022

Healthy competition is generally thought to be good for all involved, but not everyone agrees when...
time 1 minute read

From the CEO: Use Your Voice for the Good of Retail

Lately, in an effort to clean up my email inbox, I’ve been on an unsubscribe mission. Perhaps it...
time 2 minute read

Fluid Economy, Inflation Impact Michigan Retailers

Michigan Retailers Association Survey Reports Sizable Decrease in October over September Sales
time 1 minute read

Congrats to our Friends of Retail elected to serve in 2023!

Our Friends of Retail were largely successful with 60 of our 71 general-election candidates winning...
time 1 minute read

CMS Announces Open Enrollment Period to Jan. 15, 2023

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Open Enrollment Period this year from November 1...
time 1 minute read

How to Prevent Phishing and Card Testing

What is a card testing?
time 2 minute read

Michigan Retailers See Significant Increase in September Sales over August

September Retail Index rating also higher year-over-year

MRA announces Buy Nearby Weekend Photo Contest Winner

Bill Bednarick’s trip to the Meauwataka General Store in Cadillac during Buy Nearby Weekend (Oct....

When injury strikes, act quickly

When a worker is injured on the job, the sooner a claim is reported, the better. Wage loss benefits...

From the Archives: Mieras Family Shoes

Every now and then, we stumble upon gems from our archives.

MRA’s Annual Buy Nearby Weekend is Oct. 7-9

Shop local, enter photo contest, visit participating retailers for dealsWhitmer recognizes Buy...
time 2 minute read

New Faces Join Boards of Directors

This past August was the annual meeting for MRA, MRS, and RIC, with each entity holding Board of...
time 2 minute read

PCI Compliance FAQs

Is your business PCI Compliant? If not, you might be at a higher risk for security breaches and/or...
time 5 minute read

Celebrating a Century of Being a Good Fit for its Customers

By: Shandra Martinez Photos By: Josh Delany
time 1 minute read

Payment Processing: Customer Service Tips

Contact Customer Service at 800.563.5981, option 2, with any questions.
time 1 minute read

Creative Counsel: Which Social Media Platforms Should Your Business Use?

Social media can be a powerful tool to grow your business, but with great power comes the great...
time 1 minute read

Voting Guide: Friends of Retail

The Michigan Primary election saw 2.1 million voters across the state of Michigan, and amongst the...
time 1 minute read

Cybersecurity: Five Things Every Small Business Owner Should Know

By: Dave Kelly, CTO – SensCy
time 1 minute read

From the CEO: Continuing the Story of Success

By: William J. Hallan, President and CEO
time 1 minute read

Legally Speaking: Effective Use of Surcharging

By: Thomas Clement, MRA Vice President, Operations and General Counsel
time 2 minute read

Michigan Retailers See Sales Drop in August over July

Retailers report comparative back-to-school sales versus last year, but lower overall sales
time 2 minute read

Social Engineering: How Hackers Target Your Employees

By: Dave Kelly, CTO SensCy
time 1 minute read

Protect yourself from a chargeback

Protect your business and avoid payment disputes. For a step-by-step guide, use the Reason Code...
time 1 minute read

MRA reports Michigan retailers see increase in July sales over June

Inflation concerns, hiring challenges still reported

MRA statement on back-to-school sales tax holiday

The following is attributable to Michigan Retailers Association President and CEO William J. Hallan:

Remembering: Retailers Foundation statistics

Michigan Retailer March 2000 Vol. 25, Issue 2 Take a look back at Foundation statistics from 2000.
time 1 minute read

MRA Releases New Study on How to Improve Michigan’s Retail Economy

2022 Buy Nearby analysis estimates significant economic benefits to Michigan if consumers switch to...

Buy Nearby Weekend Checklist

Buy Nearby Weekend, MRA’s annual event designed to promote shopping local, is Oct. 7-9, 2022!
time 3 minute read

Connect Staff and Communities to Vital Lifesaving Cancer Resources

By Meredith Gremel, former Michigan Retailers Services board member and retired SpartanNash...
time 3 minute read

How an SOP can improve your business

Michelle McFarlandThe Wedding Shoppe, Berkley
time 2 minute read

A trifecta win to combat Organized Retail Crime in Michigan

As of July 21, all three of MRA’s Organized Retail Crime (ORC) initiatives have been signed into law
time 3 minute read

What is a number worth?

What is a valid credit card number worth to the bad guys? A lot, it seems.
time 4 minute read

How the Pandemic Prepared One College for the Future

By: Shandra Martinez
time 1 minute read

Your Employees Can Be Your Best Defense Against a Cyberattack

BY: Dave Kelly, CTO, SensCy

Training retail leaders: Alpena High School Campus Closet

For as long as Alpena High School students can remember, the Campus Closet has been open for...
time 5 minute read

Is everything better with bacon? Alward's Market thinks so.

By: Lisa J. Reibsome If you’re looking to buy bacon 10 different ways, Alward’s Market in Hale...
time 2 minute read

Legally Speaking: Banning a Problem Customer

An unfortunate reality of owning and operating a retail store is dealing with problem customers....
time 2 minute read

From the CEO: Win, Place, and Show

Every year my family watches the Kentucky Derby. We draw names, put a few dollars in the pot, and...
time 2 minute read

MRA reports Michigan retailers see decrease in June sales over May

Retailers note hiring and inflation concerns
time 2 minute read

What we know: Judge rules $12 min. wage and paid sick leave laws be reinstated

Needed Action by MRA Members: None. What we know Yesterday afternoon, Michigan Court of Claims...
time 1 minute read

MRA applauds signing of inform legislative package into law

Michigan Retailers Association President and CEO William J. Hallan today joined Governor Gretchen...
time 1 minute read

MRA Welcomes Andrea Bitely as Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) today welcomes Andrea Bitely as its new Vice President of...
time 3 minute read

MRA designates 99 state legislative candidates as Friends of Retail

This week MRA’s Legislative Committee designated 99 legislative candidates as Friends of Retail; 66...
time 1 minute read

MRA applauds legislative action to curb Organized Retail Crime

Michigan Retailers Association applauds legislators for approving legislation and a budget that...
time 1 minute read

MRA reports retailers see rise in month-over-month sales in May

Retail sales increase for first month since February
time 1 minute read

Making headway on Organized Retail Crime

Last month, the legislature took steps to crack down on Organized Retail Crime (ORC). The Michigan...
time 3 minute read

Thinking of adopting a pet-friendly workplace policy?

MRA VP of Operations and General Counsel Tom Clement not only drafted the organization’s pet...
time 3 minute read

Legally Speaking: Social Media Miscues

The effective use of social media as a marketing tool does not typically fall within the purview of...
time 1 minute read

From the CEO: Treading the Inflationary Waters

Bill Hallan, MRA President and CEO
time 1 minute read

Retail's Night Out

Business owners and decision makers from around the state gathered in downtown Lansing on June 9...

Remembering: Father's Day

Every now and then, we stumble upon gems from our archives. Here we feature a Michigan business...

In Their Own Words: Maestro's Dog Haus

Providing safe and tasty treats to our furry family members.
time 1 minute read

MRA reports retailers see April sales dip from slow March

Positive outlook remains high among Michigan business owners
time 2 minute read

Twelve students receiving Michigan Retailers Foundation Scholarships

Michigan Retailers Association is awarding 12 college students with scholarships totaling $42,000...
time 2 minute read

MRA Announces Winners of Buy Nearby Downtown Grant Program

Four grants of $7,500 awarded to Ada, Cadillac, St. Johns, and Vassar
time 1 minute read

MRA looking to hire VP, Communications & Marketing

POSITION: Vice President, Communications & Marketing LOCATION: Lansing, Michigan

2021 Annual Report

Read the 2021 Annual Report online.
time 1 minute read

MRA reports retailers see March sales dwindle from February

Retailers attribute sales decline to higher prices

Remembering: Hiring in the 1960s

Every now and then, we stumble upon gems from our archives. With summer hiring season nearing and...
time 4 minute read

Ways to Monitor Your Ecommerce Site for Credit Card Fraud

According to Michigan Retailer Association’s study of retail sales presented in its 2021 Buy Nearby...
time 2 minute read

Are My Remote Workers Covered on My Workers’ Comp. Policy?

Are your remote workers covered under your workers’ compensation policy? Unfortunately, the answer...
time 2 minute read

How retailers can thrive as post-pandemic shopping habits evolve

As more shoppers turn online for their shopping, Retail Reality’s Sarah Donnelly gives tips about...
time 2 minute read

Copywriting: Real is good. Interesting is better.

Miguel Ferreira, entrepreneur, prolific writer, founder of the newsletter, Creative Samba, and CEO...
time 2 minute read

So where are the roaring 20s I’ve been hearing about?

Since I wasn’t around for the roaring 1920s, I was hoping that now that it seems like we are...
time 5 minute read

Flower shop flourishes under daughters’ care, 43 years after mom planted seeds

The flower shop Barbara Hollowick started in 1979 has put down deep roots in East Lansing. Her...
time 2 minute read

The Power of Connecting - Join us for Retail's Night Out on June 9

Join us June 9 for Retail’s Night Out How long has it been since you’ve been able to connect with...
time 2 minute read

Workers' Comp. Coverage for Independent Contractors

Appropriate insurance coverage and the associated premium are calculated risks for both consumer...
time 2 minute read

Serving our Members 24/7

Every Monday, the Michigan Retailers Association management team meets to collectively review all...
time 1 minute read

MRA reports February sales bounce-back from stagnant January

Retailers report a sales rebound after a slow start to 2022

North Coast Landscaping's Blake Tuttle shares his 2022 business outlook

After working part-time for minimum wage at a local restaurant, Blake Tuttle did the math: work for...

MRA Announces New Grant Program for Local Communities and Downtowns

Four grants of $7,500 each to be awarded to communities looking to promote downtown retail
time 1 minute read

MRA reports January sales down from strong December

Retailers report a slightly slower start to 2022 than reported in 2021 Michigan Retailers...
time 1 minute read

MRA More Than Doubles Scholarship Award Amount

Association will now award 12 $3,500 scholarships for 2022-2023 school year Michigan Retailers...
time 2 minute read

Urbanum Detroit Grows Up During the Pandemic

BY: SHANDRA MARTINEZ

From the Archives: Honoring Dorothy Noyce

Every now and then, we stumble upon gems from our archives. In honor of Women’s History Month in...
time 1 minute read

Customer Service General Tips

General Tips for Credit Card Processing MRA’s customer service representatives, such as Tamara...
time 3 minute read

If You Plan it, Will They Come?

BY: JENNIFER ROOK
time 3 minute read

Is it Time to Revisit the Topic of Surcharging?

BY: JOHN MAYLEBEN

View our 2024 Annual Legislative Report

report-cta

Get Monthly Government Affairs Updates for Retailers

Staying informed is essential for your business's success. Subscribe to MRA's  monthly Government Affairs eNews updates so you’re always in the loop on what’s impacting retail across Michigan.

By clicking Sign Up, you are confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.
jobbie1 jobbie2