Stay Updated on Retail Policy News

Get the latest updates on legislation impacting Michigan retailers.
time 3 minute read

Are your customers happy?

The practice of secret shopping has been deployed by business owners for some time. Lately,...
time 3 minute read

Bivouac celebrates 50 years and counting

In a city known for its world-class institutions, the Ann Arbor retailer is a destination that has...
time 3 minute read

Implement MFA and erase the target on your back

Whether it is a phishing attack, non-payment/non-delivery scams, or extortion, it only takes one...
time 2 minute read

Walking the path through your claims

Step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth process. By BRETT GERRISH
time 2 minute read

So, er - what’s your customer’s experience?

Jennifer Rook, VP, Communications and Marketing
time 2 minute read

Tools and transparency needed to stop organized retail crime

By AMY DRUMM, MRA Vice President, Government Affairs
time 3 minute read

Couple shares how their store became Ace Hardware’s ‘Coolest’

By SHANDRA MARTINEZ Photos STEVE JESSMORE
time 3 minute read

Legally Speaking: A practical approach to doing more with less

By TOM CLEMENT, MRA General Counsel
time 2 minute read

From the CEO: Duty to the customer - Duty to the customer

By Bill Hallan, President and CEO
time 2 minute read

5 costly workers' comp claims mistakes to avoid

Workers’ comp claim mistakes add unnecessary costs to your bottom line By BRETT GERRISH
time 2 minute read

USA-IT: Curbing illegal trade in Michigan

By KRISTIN REIF, Director of External Affairs, Philip Morris International
time 4 minute read

5 steps you must take BEFORE creating a video -

How do you create videos that get watched and shared? Tracey Spaulding of Cold Box Films offers...
time 2 minute read

Data security is a journey, not a destination Michigan Retailers Association

National Payment Processing Expert John Mayleben offers tips By SHANDRA MARTINEZ
time 2 minute read

Legally Speaking: August 2021

Avoiding premium increases in workers’ compensation insurance By TOM CLEMENT, MRA VP of Operations...
time 3 minute read

News From The State Capitol

July/August 2021 By Amy Drumm, SVP of Government Affairs, MRA

Westlund’s Apple Market Recognized as a Michigan Centennial Retailer

In April, MRA President and CEO Bill Hallan recognized Westlund’s Apple Market as a Michigan...
time 2 minute read

News From The Capitol: Victory alert - state cancels permanent COVID workplace safety rules

By AMY DRUMM, MRA Vice President, Government Affairs
time 3 minute read

Legally Speaking: Dispute resolution without leaving the office

By TOM CLEMENT, MRA General Counsel
time 4 minute read

Travel professionals build customer loyalty during pandemic

By SHANDRA MARTINEZ Photos STEVE JESSMORE
time 2 minute read

The Rise of Zero Party Data

How Apple’s latest iOS update may impact your digital advertising Yes, users gain more control over...
time 4 minute read

What’s your Data Worth?

The Alarming Threat of Ransomware on Small Business Ransomware attacks on businesses large and...
time 2 minute read

From the CEO

Travel helped me see retailers in a new way By Bill Hallan
time 5 minute read

Cancelled! How to survive when your business is a target

MRA Member Karey Robinette offers tips on surviving a social media firestorm By JENNIFER ROOK
time 3 minute read

How to keep younger workers safe throughout the season

How to keep younger workers safe throughout the season By JENNIFER ROOK
time 4 minute read

5 Things to Consider when Refreshing Your Digital Campaigns

Campaigns go stale fast. Here are some ideas to keep content fresh By JENNIFER ROOK
time 3 minute read

News From The Capitol: Lighter version of normal

By AMY DRUMM, MRA Vice President, Government Affairs
time 1 minute read

Save the date for Buy Nearby Weekend 2021, Oct. 1-3!

BUY NEARBY WEEKEND 2021 Mark your calendars for Buy Nearby Weekend on Oct. 1-3, 2021. The annual...
time 2 minute read

CEO Bill Hallan: Accepting a world full of risks

We live in a world of risk, yet for the past 12 months, the entire world has collectively locked...
time 2 minute read

From the Editor's Desk: Go Forward! Keep Moving!

By JENNIFER ROOK, MRA Vice President, Communications and Marketing
time 4 minute read

BIG Wins for Michigan Retailers in 2020; 2021 MRA Priorities

MRA Advocacy efforts paid dividends for members in 2020 By AMY DRUMM, MRA Vice President,...
time 2 minute read

CEO Bill Hallan: Glimmers of Hope on the Horizon

It’s difficult to find inspiration these days. The recent events that unfolded at the U.S. Capitol...
time 4 minute read

Seven tips to ensure your website stays in working order

When making website updates remember your customer. By JENNIFER ROOK
time 1 minute read

MEDC community development projects bring new housing, hotels and tourism to Grand Haven, Hillsdale, Ludington

MEDC’s Michigan Strategic Fund Continues to Help Communities Around Michigan
time 4 minute read

Dublin Jerky & BBQ: A Lesson in Tenacity

Dublin’s Troy Fischer Keeps the Family Business Thriving in Grandville By JENNIFER ROOK Photos ...
time 5 minute read

Owners determined to carry lumber yard through century mark

Carson City Lumber opened in 1928. The family-owned business’ longevity is due to its ability to...
time 1 minute read

CEO Bill Hallan: Believe it or not, 2020 had some positives

As we close out 2020 the phrase “good riddance” comes to mind. Undoubtedly, 2021 will be welcomed...
time 3 minute read

Michigrain Distillery's pivot during the COVID shutdown saved the day

By MEEGAN HOLLAND Photos STEVE JESSMORE
time 5 minute read

Music retailers find their rhythm in a pandemic through improvisation

By SHANDRA MARTINEZ Photos STEVE JESSMORE
time 2 minute read

Legally Speaking: COVID-19 employee screening made simple

By TOM CLEMENT, MRA General Counsel
time 2 minute read

MEDC offers winter strategies to keep the customers coming

Three more months of wintry weather is a daunting prospect for many businesses and downtowns as...
time 2 minute read

A year without lame duck?

By AMY DRUMM, MRA Vice President, Government Affairs
time 1 minute read

MEDC wants to hear about your downtowns' winter events

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has launched a Support Local program to boost holiday...
time 1 minute read

Leaving MRA but still cheering on Michigan retailers

By MEEGAN HOLLAND, MRA Vice President, Marketing and Communications
time 1 minute read

Buy Nearby Weekend is Oct. 2-4!

Pandemic be damned – we are forging ahead with Buy Nearby Weekend on Oct. 2-4. And of course the...
time 2 minute read

CEO Bill Hallan: Retail has proven it’s safe during COVID

By BILL HALLAN, MRA President and CEO
time 4 minute read

Smaller grocers benefit from boost in sales amid COVID-19

By SHANDRA MARTINEZ Photos STEVE JESSMORE
time 3 minute read

The last three months have been a fire drill like no other

By AMY DRUMM, MRA Vice President, Government Affairs
time 2 minute read

The conundrum of enforcing face masks

By BILL HALLAN, MRA President and CEO
time 1 minute read

Catch-all

FREE SIGNAGE FOR YOUR STORE Michigan Retailers Association has designed several signs that you can...
time 7 minute read

Herbruck brothers 'serve the bird'

By SHANDRA MARTINEZ Photos STEVE JESSMORE
time 1 minute read

Helpful tips for our credit card processing customers

If you do your payment processing through Michigan Retailers, here are some helpful updates:
time 2 minute read

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

By BILL HALLAN, MRA President and CEO
time 3 minute read

MEDC grants offer new way to help small businesses

Charlevoix’s popular new restaurant, My Grandmother’s Table, started out as a stand at the...
time 2 minute read

Tom Clement: Sale or no sale, it makes a difference

By THOMAS P. CLEMENT, MRA General Counsel
time 1 minute read

Progress in Visa/ MasterCard class action suit; have you signed up?

Update: Since this article appeared the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York...
time 2 minute read

Amy Drumm: Policy changes retailers should be grateful for

By AMY DRUMM, MRA Vice President, Government Affairs
time 4 minute read

Kositchek's of Lansing: How a 154-year-old business stays relevant

By MEEGAN HOLLAND Photos DAVID TRUMPIE
time 2 minute read

From CEO Bill Hallan: Keeping Christmas nostalgia alive

By WILLIAM J. HALLAN, MRA President and CEO

Buy Nearby: 6 ideas to encourage a shop-local culture

Retailers are always looking for new ways to keep customers coming back and nurture those consumers...
time 5 minute read

HGTV star Cari Cucksey and her husband make Holly a destination

By SHANDRA MARTINEZ Photos STEVE JESSMORE
time 2 minute read

MRA puts out legislative fires

By AMY DRUMM, MRA Vice President, Government Affairs
time 2 minute read

Bill Hallan column: 3rd grade math - A lesson in time management

By WILLIAM J. HALLAN – MRA President and CEO
time 2 minute read

Hiring baby boomers: What you need to know

By Retailers Insurance Company
time 1 minute read

Capitalizing on Halloween - Go beyond decorating your store

With Halloween spending hovering around the $9 billion mark, you’re crazy not to take advantage of...
time 3 minute read

Food Retailers Summit is Sept. 23-25 at Crystal Mountain; register now!

Grocers, suppliers and friends – join us at Crystal Mountain Resort for the Food Retailers Summit,...

The power of power tools on your shelves: More customers

According to Hardware Retailing magazine, 81 percent of power tools are purchased in-store, not...

In her own words: Michigan Barn Wood & Salvage

Four years ago, Trevor and Kendra Patterson were selling lumber out of their 3,000-square-foot pole...
time 2 minute read

Retail shop Copper Nail gives back to Grass Lake in a big way

Story and photos: SHANDRA MARTINEZ
time 2 minute read

Congratulations to 3 MRA retirees

Michigan Retailers will say goodbye to four retiring employees this summer, and three are happening...
time 1 minute read

Buy Nearby unveils two new features to promote shopping local

Buy Nearby Guy is out visiting parades, festivals, 5Ks and business expos, as the busy season to...
time 2 minute read

James Hallan: Late-Spring musings

By JAMES P. HALLAN – MRA President and CEO
time 2 minute read

Contest, lottery or sweepstake: Which makes the best customer promotion?

By BILL HALLAN Retailers are a creative bunch and they’re constantly devising new ways to get...
time 1 minute read

James Hallan: Spring Musings

ROADS Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has announced her long awaited solution to fix the roads by proposing a...

MRA sales reps get national CPP certification

Two MRA employees have earned a prestigious national designation that recognizes professionalism...
time 1 minute read

William Hallan will lead Michigan Retailers Association starting Aug. 27

With the upcoming retirement of longtime MRA executive James P. Hallan from the President and CEO...
time 2 minute read

March is Ladder Safety Month: Are your employees properly trained?

One of the most common workplace accidents involves ladder-related injuries. In the United States,...
time 4 minute read

Jeweler Becky Beauchine Kulka: Keen instincts and 'luck in life'

New MRA board chair talks about her retail evolution By MEEGAN HOLLAND
time 2 minute read

William Hallan: Keeping up with shoplifters is a common frustration

Perhaps the most famous shoplifting incident occurred when an 8-year-old boy, who was left home...
time 2 minute read

James Hallan: Year-End Musings

Thank you for your membership. As we close out the year, I thought I’d share random year-end...
time 3 minute read

Michigan Marihuana Act: 5 things employers should know

By LAURA J. GENOVICH Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C.

View our 2024 Annual Legislative Report

report-cta

Get Monthly Government Affairs Updates for Retailers

Staying informed is essential for your business's success. Subscribe to MRA's  monthly Government Affairs eNews updates so you’re always in the loop on what’s impacting retail across Michigan.

By clicking Sign Up, you are confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.
jobbie1 jobbie2