News

Grand Rapids Retailers, Local Leaders to Stress Importance of Buying Nearby to Area Economy

Shoppers supporting retailers such as MercuryHead Gallery benefit community

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Business owners and economic development leaders from Grand Rapids today joined James P. Hallan of the Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) to talk about the growth of new retailers and retail jobs in Grand Rapids and to  remind residents that where they spend their shopping dollars matters a great deal to Michigan’s local communities and state economy.

MRA announces ‘Friend of Retail’ candidate designations and endorsements

LANSING – Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) today announced the designation of 71 legislative candidates in the August 2 primary who are considered a “Friend of Retail” and deserve member support.

Solid May retail sales add to positive trend

LANSING – Overall Michigan retail sales remained strong in May, the fourth consecutive month of positive performance, according to the Michigan Retail Index, a joint project of Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

Change your passwords like clockwork

We all went through the semi-annual ritual of changing our clocks recently, “springing forward” one hour for daylight savings time.

Fire departments have latched onto this twice-a-year event to remind us to check or change the batteries in our smoke detectors,

Gov’t Affairs News – tax appeal changes, paid sick leave, 9-1-1 phone systems and more

Legislature breaks for summer

Following a few hectic weeks, the Michigan Legislature has completed the budget and crafted an emergency funding solution for Detroit Public Schools. Legislators are now back in their districts until September.

Retailers’ sales and forecasts remain positive

LANSING – Michigan retailers’ sales and forecasts remained positive in March while slipping only slightly from the previous month, according to the latest Michigan Retail Index survey, a joint project of Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

Michigan Retailers names business representative for Central/Southwest Michigan

LANSING – Brian Scott, a mid-Michigan resident with solid experience in sales and client service, has joined Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) as its business development representative in Central and Southwest Michigan.

Gov’t Affairs News – tax appeal changes, plastic bags and more

Committee discusses Tax Tribunal changes

The House Tax Policy Committee held two weeks of hearings on legislation that HB 5578 could have a big impact on commercial property taxes and tax appeals.