News

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Michigan Retailers Report Low January Sales, Positive Future Outlook

Michigan Retailers Association today reports that January 2024 sales performed moderately, landing at 48.0 on the 100-point Retail Index. The January 2023 Retail Index came in at 53.8, indicating a 10.8 percent decrease year-over-year.

From the Archives: At Home for 25 Years

MRA moving truck

Although the building we call MRA Headquarters has been standing for over 100 years, MRA officially moved in 25 years ago. In 1999, MRA purchased the Women’s Club and moving trucks transported members’ files,

Legally Speaking: Aggravation Of a Pre-Existing Condition and Workers’ Compensation

Tom Clement

Pre-existing conditions are often a natural part of the human experience, especially as people age. In the employment context, the question often becomes whether workers’ compensation benefits must be paid where a prior condition is aggravated.

MRA Advocacy Efforts in 2023

Each year in February, MRA provides members with a copy of our Year-End Legislative Report. The 2023 report should be arriving in your mailbox soon. It can be a helpful tool for members to engage in the legislative and policy-making process,

Emily Walters Joins MRA Sales Department

Emily Walters headshot

MRA is happy to announce the hiring of Emily Walters as Business Development Representative, in our Northern Michigan Region. Walters, based in Traverse City, is a graduate of Central Michigan University.

2024 Brings Higher Shipping Costs

FedEx and UPS Rates on the Rise

Get ready for a hit to your shipping budget in 2024 as FedEx and UPS plan to bump up their rates by an average of 5.9%. 

Credit Card Surcharges Are Taxable

Jesse Kirchner
Administrative Law Specialist, Bureau of Tax Policy
Michigan Department of Treasury

The Michigan Department of Treasury works with retailers and MRA to provide guidance on tax matters.

The Importance of Responding to the Retail Index

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Each and every month, MRA sends an email to our members to ask a simple question: How were your sales last month? 

While you might think this is just another email clogging up the precious space in your inbox,