Founded in 1940 to represent the retail industry on a sales tax issue in the Michigan Legislature, MRA has retained its original focus on legislative affairs. The Association works to secure passage of retail-friendly legislation in Michigan and maintains a Washington office to advocate for retail at the national level.

Key accomplishments during MRA’s 60-year history include passing pro-retail changes in sales tax collection, unemployment compensation and workers’ compensation; phasing out the Single Business Tax; strengthening bad-check and retail-theft protections; implementing the self-help overcharge provision in the state’s item-pricing law; and reforming regulations on installment sales and consumer credit.