News

Michigan Retail Index Survey

Retail Index logo

The Michigan Retail Index is a monthly gauge of key retail activity in Michigan and serves as an important indicator of the health of Michigan’s retail sector and the direction of the state’s overall economy.

Why Do Businesses That Sell Food Need a Food License?

Tim Slawinski

By: Tim Slawinski
Food and Dairy Division Director
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

People shopping at a grocery store or eating out at a restaurant may notice the food license hanging on the wall from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).

Legally Speaking: Credit Card Competition Act of 2022

Tom Clement

Healthy competition is generally thought to be good for all involved, but not everyone agrees when it comes to recently introduced federal legislation. H.R. 8874, introduced in the United States House of Representatives on September 19,

Know Your Voice on Social Media

By: Andrea Bitely
VP, Communications and Marketing

Is your business snarky, sweet, or matter-of-fact on social media? Or, none of the above?

Most likely, your social media accounts have taken on the voice of whomever manages them,

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

William J. Hallan

Lately, in an effort to clean up my email inbox, I’ve been on an unsubscribe mission. Perhaps it started with the endless torrent of out-of-state political emails or the unsolicited offers from companies I’ve never heard of.

Fluid Economy, Inflation Impact Michigan Retailers

Michigan Retailers Association Survey Reports Sizable Decrease in October over September Sales

Michigan Retailers Association today reports that October 2022 sales decreased over September 2022.

The October Retail Index survey came in at 48.9,

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 their elections to serve in the state house or state senate. There will be a lot of brand-new faces around the Capitol in January;

CMS Announces Open Enrollment Period to Jan. 15, 2023

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Open Enrollment Period this year from November 1 through January 15, 2023. BCBSM and BCN will extend the OEP to January 15, 2023 for off-Marketplace plans as well.

How to Prevent Phishing and Card Testing

What is a card testing?

Card testing, also referred to as Phishing, is a type of fraudulent activity where someone tries to determine whether stolen credit card information is valid so they can use it to make purchases.