Redefining Retail in Michigan

Michigan Retailers Association has been a trusted advocate, resource, and partner to thousands of businesses since 1940. Whether you’re an independent shop or a multi-location brand, we’re here to help you grow, protect your business, and amplify your voice.

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We are for the good of retail.

Founded in 1940, Michigan Retailers Association represents over 5,000 businesses operating 15,000 stores and websites across the state. As the unified voice of Michigan’s retail industry, MRA is dedicated to:

Promoting retail-friendly policies that support the growth and success of retailers.

Providing cost-saving, growth-driving services to retailers and small businesses in Michigan.

Educating consumers on the importance of supporting local businesses to keep economic activity within Michigan.

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Over its more than 85-year history, MRA has achieved significant milestones, including:

Enacting Main Street Fairness legislation to level the playing field for Michigan retailers.

Modernizing the state's item pricing law, providing retailers with pricing flexibility and saving money for both retailers and consumers.

Preempting local governments from passing ordinances related to employee wages and benefits.

Reforming unemployment compensation formulas to ensure fairness across industries.

Phasing out the Single Business Tax and introducing a more business-friendly corporate profits tax.

Leading coalitions to refine definitions in workers' compensation, ensuring benefits are appropriately allocated.

Implementing pro-retail changes in sales tax collection.

Strengthening protections against bad checks and retail theft.

Reforming regulations on installment sales and consumer credit.

Meet our team

View Boards of Directors

Industries We Serve

Apparel and Fashion

Home Goods and Furnishings

Grocery and Food Retailers

Pharmacies and Health Stores

Electronics and Technology

Sporting Goods and Outdoor Equipment

Jewelry and Accessories

Books, Music, and Entertainment

Office Supplies and Stationary

Divisions

Michigan Retailers Association encompasses several industry-specific divisions, each representing a unique segment of the retail sector. These divisions bring together professionals from their respective fields, fostering collaboration and addressing the specific needs of their industries.

Michigan Grocers Association

Established in 1898 as the Michigan Business Men’s Association, it was later renamed the Retail Grocers and General Merchants Association of Michigan in 1903. Incorporated in 1917, this group has long worked to improve business methods and advance the interests of retail grocers and general merchants. It became a division of MRA on Jan. 1, 2018.

Michigan Retail Hardware Association

Formed in 1895 by twenty Michigan hardware retailers, this association was incorporated in 1914. It has historically focused on enacting legislation beneficial to the retail, wholesale, and manufacturing trades. The Michigan Retail Hardware Association became a division of MRA on July 1, 2016.

Michigan Jewelers Association

Founded in 1905 by Max Jennings of St. Clair, Michigan, it is believed to be the first state jewelers association in the U.S. The association held its first annual convention and trade show the same year. It became a division of MRA in November 1956.

Michigan Shoe Association

Michigan was the first state to organize a retail shoe trade association, holding its inaugural meeting in 1905. The Michigan Shoe Association became a division of MRA in November 1956. Members are also affiliated with the National Shoe Retailers Association.

Michigan Floor Covering Association

Originally affiliated with MRA in 1959 as the Floorcovering Association of Michigan, it officially became the Michigan Floor Covering Association, a division of MRA, in April 1998.

Michigan Tire and Vehicle Services Association

Joining MRA in 1968 as the Michigan Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association Division, it was renamed the Michigan Tire and Vehicle Services Association division in 1986. This division actively collaborates with national tire and vehicle repair groups like the Auto Care Association.

Locations

Corporate Office

Michigan Retailers Association
603 South Washington Avenue
Lansing, Michigan 48933

517.372.5656
toll-free: 800.366.3699 

fax: 517.372.1303

mra@retailers.com

facebook.com/michiganretailers

x.com/michretail

Retailers Insurance Company

Retailers Insurance Company
603 South Washington Avenue
Lansing, Michigan 48933

phone: 517.372.5656 toll-free: 800.366.3699 fax: 517.372.1303 ric@retailers.com www.retailersinsurance.com

Got questions?
We have answers.

Whether you're curious about membership, services, or support, these quick FAQs have the info you need to get started.

Membership

Do I need to be a retailer to join Michigan Retailers Association?

You do not need to be a retailer to belong to MRA. Although MRA provides services to thousands of retailers, we also serve many other companies that need services such as credit card processing, health and dental plans, and business insurances. All companies and organizations, including non-profits, can become members.

How do I join MRA?

It’s simple. Join online or contact us at mra@retailers.com or 800.366.3699 to have a local business development representative talk with you.

How do I renew my MRA membership?

A renewal notice is mailed to you prior to your anniversary date. If you do not receive a renewal notice or have questions about renewing your membership, please contact us.

You may also renew your membership online through this link.

How do I update my information with MRA?

Call Accounting and Membership Assistant Francine Bushrey at 800.366.3699 or email mra@retailers.com.

What does MRA give me to display my membership?

Members receive a door/window sticker identifying them as MRA members to the public.

Member Benefits

Do you offer scholarships to students?

MRA offers one of the best scholarships programs in Michigan and the nation. The families of members and the families of members’ employees are eligible annually for one-year scholarships of $3,500. Scholarships are funded by the Michigan Retailers Foundation. The annual competition runs from January 1 to April 1. Since 1999, the program has awarded $793,750 in scholarships to 652 students. The Foundation also enables contributors to establish a legacy scholarship in their name or the name of their business or another person.

How can my business gain recognition from other members?

Michigan Retailer, the official, bimonthly news publication of MRA, often writes feature stories about our members. MRA’s social media activities, along with the Buy Nearby campaign’s own blog and social media channels, also highlight interesting member businesses. In addition, retailers who reach 100 years in business are presented with a Michigan Centennial Retailer plaque from MRA.

What do I get with my MRA membership?

Members receive access to a wide variety of value-added business services to help them succeed:

Expert, no-hassle credit card processing
Group and individual insurance programs, including workers’ compensation insurance through Retailers Insurance Company, health insurance including Blue Cross Blue Shield and dental insurance administered by Delta Dental
Effective legislative advocacy on issues impacting business
Buy Nearby promotions to increase customer traffic and sales
Discounts on inbound and outbound shipping
College scholarships
News and information on industry practices and trends
…and much more

Members also receive personal customer service and assistance from experienced employees at MRA, not from a call-center or website operating on the other side of the world.

What other information does MRA provide?

In addition to Michigan Retailer, MRA provides electronic bulletins on credit card processing, legislative issues and Buy Nearby. We also conduct a monthly survey, in cooperation with the Federal Reserve, to gauge retail sales in Michigan and communicate those results through the Michigan Retail Index. MRA’s regional business development representatives and customer service representatives are a great source of information on a wide variety of business topics.

Advocacy

Does MRA have a political action committee?

MRA PAC is one of the oldest political action committees in Michigan. It accepts contributions from members in order to help elect retail- and business-friendly candidates.

Donate to the PAC online or contact Andrew Beardslee, Vice President, Government Affairs, at 800.366.3699 or abeardslee@retailers.com for more information.

How can I get involved in supporting MRA on legislative issues?

Learn more about how you can take action on issues facing retailers in Michigan, or contact Andrew Beardslee, Vice President, Government Affairs, at 800.366.3699 or abeardslee@retailers.com.

How do I learn about legislative issues facing retailers in Michigan?

MRA has a daily presence in the state Capitol to keep our finger on the political pulse. We monitor all legislation and issues affecting retail and business, and we advocate aggressively to promote pro-business issues. MRA writes and distributes the Government Affairs News ebulletin on a regular basis to MRA members when the legislature is in session.

General

What do I need to start a retail business in Michigan?

Congratulations! Starting a retail business is an exciting adventure and MRA is here to help. We get this question all the time, which is why we created a page to walk you through all the steps to take to start a retail business in Michigan.

There are a few things you need to start a retail business but what often confuses people is when a wholesaler or marketplace asks for a “reseller license” or “resale certificate/permit.” In Michigan, that’s just a sales tax license. Lots of wholesalers or marketplace websites call it various things but what they’re looking for is proof that your business is licensed to collect any applicable sales/use taxes in Michigan. That gets the wholesaler off the hook from charging you sales tax when you purchase from them. Wholesalers are required to collect and maintain up-to-date information to prove they’re not liable for the tax themselves.

Other things you’ll need include an EIN from the IRS, annual registration/renewal with the state’s Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Department, and of course, the sales tax license from the Michigan Department of Treasury. To walk through each step with links to where to obtain these licenses and registrations, check out MRA’s Ask Us First page.

If you’re starting a new business, you should also seriously consider MRA membership to help you stay up-to-date on retail trends in Michigan, changing rules and regulations on retail sales and other suggestions on marketing and safety to keep your business thriving. MRA provides services to members including credit card processing, which you’ll likely need right away, and group health insurance or workers’ compensation insurance that you’ll need to consider as your business grows and you start hiring staff.

Redefining Retail in Michigan