Ask Michigan Retailers is a monthly question-and-answer column published in the Michigan Retailer and distributed via e-mail to chambers of commerce and newspapers throughout the state.
Do you have a retailing question you'd like addressed in the column?
Ask the Michigan Retailers Association in writing --
by mail, 603 South Washington Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933;
by fax, 517.372.1303;
by e-mail, mra@retailers.com.
General
Retail
How can I improve my store
layout?
How to unload excess inventory?
Am I '2005 Sunrise' compliant
What are ways to revive growth?
Should I increase store hours?
How do I improve store lighting?
What is a good profit margin?
How do I make sense of rental terms?
Do I need a license to start a
retail business?
What should I consider when
opening a second store?
Can I refuse merchandise returns?
Is it time to remodel my store?
Can I play music in my store for free?
Which is better: downtown or mall?
What percent of sales occur during
the holidays?
Should I switch bookkeeping to computer?
What is a good inventory level?
What happens to my store if I die?
How do I plan for succession?
Customer/Vendor
Relationships
How can I work better with vendors?
How can I assist a gift shopper?
How can I handle cranky customers?
How do I reward loyal customers?
What should I ask in a customer
survey?
How do I convert browsers to
buyers?
How do I respond to customers who
are "just looking"?
Privacy Policy
Customer Billing
& Payment Processing
Can I add late fees to invoices?
Why won’t some cards swipe?
Minimum for credit card purchases?
What are other uses for gift cards?
What is credit card truncation?
Can I charge more for credit?
How do I prevent credit card chargebacks?
Advertising
Should I buy a ‘Yellow Pages’
ad?
A national “do not call” registry?
How can I use direct mail?
Should I trademark my store name and
logo?
How do I create effective store
window displays?
Security
How can I keep my data secure?
How can I prevent return fraud
How can I recoup check losses?
How to approach data security?
Spotting fake traveler checks
How can I avoid sales lawsuits?
What's a good check policy?
How do I enforce ID checks for
minors?
Do black lights help detect credit
card fraud?
Do I have to accept the state ID card?
How do I spot shoplifters?
How can I detect employee fraud?
Can I apprehend a suspected
shoplifter?
What ID can I require when accepting
a check?
How should I prepare for disaster?
How will 'Check 21' affect me?
Online
Retailing
Should I have an online store?
Switch to an e-mail newsletter?
How do I increase website traffic?
Which web sales are taxable?
How do I measure traffic on
my website?
Is 'spam' problem getting worse?
Human
Resources
How can my staff avoid minor illnesses?
Time off to attend political rally?
How can I help staff manage stress?
What is the definition of ‘full
time?’
Does a non-citizen need a green card
to work?
How do I choose the best employees?
What are the rights for an employee
in the military?
Do I need work comp coverage?
Can teens work by themselves at night?
Which employment posters are required?
What should I include in a pay
and benefits package?
How can I reduce health insurance
costs?
What hiring questions are legal?
What are regulations on teen employment?
How do I get staff to follow policies?
How do I find qualified employees?
How
important are staff meetings?
What is a good employee drug policy?
