News

EV charging bills move, tobacco vaping changes discussed and prescription drug cost/reimbursement

Get prepared for the inevitable data breach

Mayleben

By JOHN MAYLEBEN

Michigan Retailers Association had to utilize their disaster plan in December when a sewer pipe burst on the third floor of the headquarters building. Thankfully,

From CEO Bill Hallan: A Boomer brain drain also has its upside

MRA President and CEO William J.Hallan

By BILL HALLAN, MRA President and CEO

A topic that’s been on my mind lately is the impact of retiring baby boomers. At MRA we’re seeing the effect both internally at the Association and within our membership.

Michigan retailers report strong sales in January

LANSING, Mich. – Retailers in Michigan reported a steep increase in sales this past month compared to numbers reported in January 2019, according to the Michigan Retail Index.

The January Retail Index survey came in at 72.5,

Pure Michigan funding debate, tobacco law updates introduced

In this issue:

  • Senate subcommittee pushes Pure Michigan funding
  • Bipartisan package to update tobacco/vaping laws introduced
  • Legislators mulling bank and grocery store-based Secretary of State locations
  • FDA begins enforcement on certain flavored vaping products
  • State scraps switching pharmacy Medicaid reimbursement to fee-for-service plan
  • Regulatory round-up
  • 2019-2020 bill tracker

Senate subcommittee pushes Pure Michigan funding

Following an overview of the proposed Labor and Economic Opportunity budget,

In their own words: Hastings Ace Hardware’s Jerry and Lyndy Bolthouse

When you think of a family- and community-focused business, Hastings Ace Hardware would vie for top honors. Parents of current owner, Jerry Bolthouse, can prove it. Gerald and Anna Bolthouse had 13 children,

Michigan Retailers announces 2019 Legislators of the Year

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) has honored two freshman lawmakers as 2019 Legislators of the Year for helping to shepherd through its top priority legislation: requiring marketplace facilitators to collect sales tax on third party sales hosted on online marketplace platforms.

Governor focuses on working alone in second State of the State address

In this issue:

  • Governor focuses on working alone in second State of the State address
  • Commission approves liquor packaging changes
  • Changes to bottle deposit escheats introduced
  • Pharmacy members please note: Michigan close to decision on carving out of the Medicaid pharmacy benefit from managed care
  • Regulatory round-up

Governor focuses on working alone in second State of the State address

In the shortest State of the State speech in memory,

Michigan retailers are optimistic for a strong winter

Retailers in Michigan reported higher sales in December and predict stronger winter sales than a year ago, according to the Michigan Retail Index.

The December Retail Index survey came in at 60.0,