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New Chief Operating Officer
William J. Hallan is MRA’s new chief operating officer and board member, following Jean Sarasin’s retirement. Page 2
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Growing Retail in Detroit
The Detroit Mercantile Co. represents two eras: Detroit’s former life as a retail leader and its new life as a comeback city. Page 5
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Putting Your Data to Work
MRA will soon offer members a new service that enables them to use their credit card data to better market to customers. Page 9
® August 2014 Vol. 39 No. 4
MRA endorses Snyder, Schuette for re-election in November contests Michigan Retailers Association has endorsed Governor Rick Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette for re-election, pointing to their leadership and understanding of the importance of Michigan’s retail industr y to the state’s economy. The endorsements by the M R A B o a rd o f Directors were Gov. Snyder unanimous. “MRA has developed strong working relationships with Gov. Snyder and Attorney General Schuette during the past four years, and Atty. Gen. Schuette we look forward to continuing to work with both of these fine leaders in their second term,” said MRA President and CEO James P. Hallan. Gov. Snyder “The governor and his administration are always willing to listen to the retail industry’s ideas and concerns and have demonstrated their solid commitment to improving the state’s retail and overall business climates,” Hallan said. Key retail legislative issues supported by Gov. Snyder include the Shopping Reform and Modernization Act, the Organized Retail Crime Act and Michigan Main Street Fairness legislation, he said, in addition to repeal of the Michigan Business Tax Continued on page 4
The official publication of the Michigan Retailers Association
www.retailers.com
Buy Nearby Guy to remind shoppers The new face of Michigan Retailers Association’s Buy Nearby campaign is more than just another attractive face. Much more.
The new mascot, named Buy Nearby Guy, is an 8-foot-tall representation of the campaign logo – a shopping bag in the shape of Michigan, colored
MRA’s Jim Hallan (left) holds a news conference with Jeff Joyce of Mieras Shoes in Grand Rapids to introduce Buy Nearby’s mascot. Photo by David Trumpie.
35 scholarships awarded for upcoming school year Thirty-five students are heading to college this fall with a total of $33,500 in financial assistance from Michigan Retailers Association’s scholarship program. Each scholarship is funded by the Michigan Retailers Foundation, a nonprofit educational organization established by MRA to benefit MRA members and their employees and families. Thirty-two students will receive $1,000 for one year at a public or
private college or university and three will receive $500 for one year at a community college. In the scholarship program’s 16-year histor y, $398,500 has been awarded in 428 scholarships to students who are employees or the children of owners or employees of MRAmember businesses. “The scholarship program is a valuable, added benefit of being a member of MRA,” said Tom Scott, MRA senior vice president communications and marketing. “The program helps not only members’ families, but also their employees and the employees’ families. The Board of Directors is deeply committed to the scholContinued on page 6
blue to mirror Michigan’s lakes and skies. Michiganders can expect to see Buy Nearby Guy in local stores, downtowns, malls and community events as part of the year-round campaign to encourage shoppers to buy from Michigan retail businesses. Communities, organizations and retailers can request a visit by the mascot. A request form is available at BuyNearbyMI.com. MRA President and CEO James P. Hallan and local retailers introduced Buy Nearby Guy at news conferences in Detroit, Okemos and Grand Rapids on July 23. They also released new economic data showing the benefits to local communities and the state economy from buying nearby (see story below). “We encourage shoppers to consider all of the benefits to their local communities, schools, businesses, families and neighbors when making purchases,” Hallan said at each stop. Local Guy Hallan also noted that MRA made sure to Buy Nearby when it needed a mascot, turning to The Parade Company in Detroit to design and produce Buy Nearby Guy. Continued on page 8
Buying ‘nearby’ worth extra $9B
Full consumer support for Buy Nearby would add billions of dollars in state economic activity and tens of thousands of new Michigan jobs, according to a new study by an East Lansing economic research firm. Anderson Economic Group found that Michigan in 2015 would gain an estimated 74,639 additional jobs and $9 billion in additional economic activity – including $2.5 billion in additional wages the new workers would earn – if Michigan consumers bought from retailers in Michigan rather than from “remote” sellers. Continued on page 8
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Michigan Retailer
Wonderful stories
www.retailers.com
Board of Directors: Thomas Ungrodt Chair Ideation, Ann Arbor
by James P. Hallan, MRA President and Chief Executive Officer For the past several weeks I’ve been traveling our wonderful state of Michigan visiting with retailers about what’s on their mind and talking about the Buy Nearby campaign. Everyone loves Buy Nearby Guy and how he’s getting people to think more about the importance of shopping at those businesses all around us that have invested in Michigan. The visits also have rekindled many family stories about how these retail businesses started – and their renewed success now that Michigan’s economy is finally improving. Retailers are hard workers, risk takers and survivors in an ever-changing world. I love touring stores, and not just the showrooms. Although I love to see new merchandising concepts, window displays and floor layouts, I’m more intrigued with the back rooms.
I’m fascinated to see how merchandise is received and to learn about the inventory system that tracks it and makes the products accessible to sales personnel. I especially enjoy seeing old photos of the business and its former facades. Same goes for the bustle of putting up tents and tables for summer weekend sales and the overall buzz inside the store. Seeing it all come together is fun for me, and energizing, too. I continue to marvel at how storeowners and employees greet old friends and new customers with an easy manner and welcoming smile. Retailing is, after all, a people business. And whether large or small, all retailers have wonderful stories: how they got started, raised the initial capital, signed the first lease and made the first sale. In a manner of speaking, a retailer’s
boardroom is the showroom. Customers are the board of directors, and successful retailers are always interacting with customers to receive and process that important feedback. Sure, retail is changing. But it remains the fabric of our local communities. That’s why Michigan Retailers is trying to do its part by putting the Buy Nearby Guy front and center in an effort to remind people that if we want strong communities and we want to create new stories for our grandchildren, we must create new opportunities for them and support those businesses that have invested in Michigan. A dollar spent in a Michigan retail business is a dollar invested in Michigan’s local and state economies. That dollar spins many times and does a world of good. Happy retailing!
MRA announces promotions, hiring William J. Hallan was named MRA’s chief operating officer and member of the MRA Board of Directors, following the retirement of Jean Sarasin. Also promoted were Patricia Zaskowski, to director of underwriting for Retailers Mutual Insurance Company, and Amy Jolley to manager of human resources for MRA. In addition, Harmony Clouse was hired as administrative assistant in the sales and marketing department. Sarasin retired on July 4 after 33 years with MRA, most recently as executive vice president and chief operating officer. She served on the MRA and Retailers Mutual boards of directors. More Responsibilities Hallan joined MRA as vice president and general counsel in 2011. His responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of the Association’s legislative advocacy program in February 2012, and then to overall operations in September 2013 as senior vice president operations and general counsel. He retains his in-house legal duties as chief operating officer and general counsel for both MRA and Retailers Mutual. Prior to joining Michigan Retailers, he was a litigator in the Dykema Gossett law firm’s Bloomfield Hills office. The son of MRA President and CEO
James P. Hallan, he is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Toledo School of Law and a graduate of Denison University. He is an Okemos resident. Zaskowski joined Michigan Retailers in 2005 to assist with the conversion of Retailers Fund from a group self-insurance program to Retailers Mutual. A graduate of Michigan State University and an Okemos resident, she has worked in the insurance industry for more than 35 years as agent, commercial risk manager, underwriter, division manager and in other capacities. Prior to working for MRA, she was employed by American Physicians Assurance Corporation for 10 years, where her focus was workers’ compensation insurance. New duties Jolley takes on the human resources duties previously held by Sarasin, in addition to her executive assistant responsibilities. She joined the Association staff in 1998 as executive assistant and was later promoted to executive assistant and events coordinator. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and a resident of Grand Ledge. Clouse comes to Michigan Retailers after working as registrar for the Michigan Recreation and Park As-
sociation and frequent volunteer at local community events. She returned to the Lansing area
James P. Hallan
President and CEO Michigan Retailers Association
Dan Marshall
Vice Chair Marshall Music Company, Lansing
Peter R. Sobelton Treasurer Birmingham
William J. Hallan
Secretary Michigan Retailers Association
Barb Stein
Past Chair Great Northern Trading Co., Rockford
Brian Ducharme AT&T
Becky Beauchine Kulka
Becky Beauchine Kulka Diamonds and Fine Jewelry, Okemos
Orin Mazzoni, Jr.
Orin Jewelers, Garden City
Joseph McCurry
Credit Card Group
Larry Mullins
Brandon Tire & Battery, Ortonville
R.D. (Dan) Musser III
Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
Joe Swanson Target Corp.
James Walsh
Meijer, Inc., Grand Rapids
D. Larry Sherman
Board Member Emeritus
Michigan Retailers Services, Inc. Board of Directors: Bo Brines Little Forks Outfitters, Midland
Bill Golden Hallan
Zaskowski
Golden Shoes, Traverse City
Lisa McCalpine-Wittenmyer Walgreens
James P. Hallan Thomas B. Scott Publisher
Editor
Pat Kerwin
Design Manager
Publication Office: Jolley
Clouse
after working as office manager for Tradesmen International, Inc. in Midland and account executive for Charter Media in Saginaw, where she developed a passion for helping small businesses grow and she completed courses on advertising and marketing. She describes herself as an avid outdoorswoman who, when not at work, can be found with her young family “either in the woods with our bows or on the softball fields.”
603 South Washington Avenue Lansing, MI 48933 517.372.5656 or 800.366.3699 Fax: 517.372.1303 www.retailers.com www.retailersmutual.com
Subscriptions:
Michigan Retailer (USPS 345-780, ISSN 0889-0439) is published in February, April, June, August, October and December for $20 per year by Michigan Retailers Association, 603 South Washington Ave., Lansing, MI 48933. Subscription fees are automatically included in the Michigan Retailers Asociation membership dues. Periodical postage paid at Lansing, Michigan. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 603 South Washington Ave., Lansing, MI 48933. The Michigan Retailer may be recycled with other white office paper.
August 2014
3
MICHIGAN RETAIL INDEX
June sales jump rounds out positive 2nd Quarter creased sales over the same month last year, while 23 percent recorded declines and 24 percent reported no change. The results create a seasonally adjusted performance index of 66.7, up from 47.7 in May. A year ago June the Index stood at 47.7. The 100-point Index gauges the performance of the state’s overall retail industry, based on monthly surveys conducted by MRA and the Federal Re-
Current
serve. Index values above 50 generally indicate positive activity; the higher the number, the stronger the activity. Looking forward, 58 percent of retailers expect sales during July– September to increase over the same period last year, while 18 percent project a decrease and 24 percent no change. That puts the seasonally adjusted outlook index at 69.5, down from 79.3 in May. A year ago June the
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Seasonally adjusted diffusion index, calculated by adding the percent of respondents indicating increased sales and half the percent indicating no change, and then seasonally adjusting the result using the U.S. Census Bureau’s X-11 Seasonal Adjustment procedure. Index values above 50 generally indicate an increase in activity, while values below 50 indicate a decrease.
And that’s sure to make everyone smile.
Index stood at 79.3. June sales tax revenues totaled $648.6 million, up 10.6 percent from last year. Complete results of this month’s Michigan Retail Index—including data on sales, inventory, prices, promotions and hiring—are available at www. retailers.com/mra/news/michiganretail-index.html. The website includes figures dating back to July 1994.
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Michigan’s retail industry rang up its best sales performance in more than three years during June, according to the Michigan Retail Index, a joint project of Michigan Retailers Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The June index showed retailers’ year-over-year sales jumped 19 points to 66.7 on the 100-point scale, the highest since 68.1 in November 2010 as Michigan was rebounding from the Great Recession. “We get a better picture of what’s going on by looking at this past spring as a whole, and that picture is strongly positive,” said James P. Hallan, MRA president and CEO. “Coming out of the extremely tough winter, we finally saw an increase in sales in April, an unexpected drop in May and then a larger than anticipated increase in June. It makes more sense to view the entire 2nd Quarter as a rebound from the harsh winter.” Retailers’ sales forecasts for the 3rd Quarter slipped nearly 10 points on the index, indicating possible concerns about the back-to-school and early fall periods. The June survey of MRA members showed 53 percent of retailers in-
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Michigan Retailer
IT’S THE LAW
New wage-hike law ‘political insurance’ by William J. Hallan, MRA Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel In a strange twist, the Board of State Canvassers voted not to certify the ballot proposal to raise the minimum wage. The board’s action begs the question whether the legislature’s controversial action to preempt the likely November proposal by raising the wage by a lesser amount was even necessary. The legislature’s action was a bit like buying insurance. We buy it to protect against the worst-case scenario. When worst-case does not occur, we sometimes question our decision. As you’re likely aware, the ballot proposal would have raised the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour by January 1, 2017, with an annual costof-living adjustment thereafter. In the midst of strong public support for the measure, Republicans and the business community deemed the proposal a job-killer. Fearful that the initiative would pass at the November election as well as fuel voter turnout, the GOP-controlled legislature took matters into its own hands.
Basically, it bought an insurance policy. On May 25, 2014, the legislature swiftly passed a bipartisan compromise that was praised by everyone from Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer – certainly odd bedfellows. The compromise, signed by Governor Snyder, raises the minimum wage to $8.15 on September 1, 2014, with staggered increases thereafter. By January 1, 2018, the minimum wage in Michigan will be $9.25 an hour and it will continue to rise because it is now tied to the Consumer Price Index. The legislation also repealed the 1964 minimum wage law in an effort to render the ballot proposal moot, because the proposal would have amended a law that no longer existed. Though some were dissatisfied with the legislation (including Michigan Retailers Association, which opposed the COLA provision), the “insurance policy” seemed to be a good investment. Raise Michigan, the group pushing the ballot proposal, appeared to turn in the required number of signatures (258,088) for the measure to appear on the ballot. Observers were watching closely to see if the Board of State Canvassers would certify the measure even though it sought to change a law that had been repealed. However, after review and discovery of duplicate signatures, the board determined that there were not enough valid signatures for the proposal to appear on the ballot. The Republican-controlled legislature is left to wonder whether it needed to raise the minimum wage in the first place. Was it necessary to buy the insurance policy? The answer is yes. Insurance accomplishes several goals: it manages uncertainty and provides protection against the worst-case scenario. For Republicans, the uncertainty and worst-case scenario was passage of the ballot proposal. Not only would it have raised the minimum wage past a palatable level, but it also would have encouraged Democratic turnout at the polls in an election year. It goes without saying that the legislature and governor would not have raised the minimum wage had it not been for pressure from the ballot proposal. However, a calculated decision was made to mitigate risk. Though hindsight is 20/20, this political insurance policy was a good decision by the Republicans.
www.retailers.com
$8.15 minimum wage begins Sept. 1 Michigan’s $7.40 minimum hourly wage rises to $8.15 on September 1. The new law enacted by the Michigan Legislature earlier this year will increase the minimum wage in steps up to $9.25 by 2018 and then index the future rate to inflation. The indexed rates will be based on the average annual percentage change in the Midwestern Region Consumer Price Index for the most recent five-year period. Starting in 2019, the new rates must be posted by February 1 and effective April 1 of that year. Each index-based increase cannot exceed 3.5 percent. The new law also says that there will not be a rate in-
ployer must make up the difference to meet $8.15. There was no change in the $4.25 training wage that may be paid during the first 90 days to employees ages 16-19. Minors 16-17 years of age may be paid 85 percent of the minimum wage rate. 85% of the minimum rate falls below the federally mandated minimum of $7.25 (in Michigan it would be $6.93 as of 9/1/14), so minors 16-17 must be paid a minimum of $7.25.
crease if unemployment in Michigan reaches 8.5 percent or higher.
for minors ages 16-17. January 1, 2017, the rate will increase to $8.90 an hour, the tipped minimum wage to $3.38, and $7.57 for minors ages 16-17. January 1, 2018, the rate will increase to $9.25 an hour, the tipped minimum wage to $3.52, and $7.86 for minors ages 16-17. Starting in 2019, new rates will be posted by February 1 and effective April 1 of that year.
Tipped, Training Employees The tipped employee minimum hourly wage also will increase on September 1 from $2.65 to $3.10. Employees who are paid a tipped wage must earn enough in tips to meet the minimum wage of $8.15 an hour. If an employee’s tips and tipped wage do not meet or exceed $8.15, the em-
Planning Ahead The next increase occurs January 1, 2016, raising the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour, the tipped minimum wage to $3.23, and remaining at $7.25
MRA endorses Snyder, Schuette for re-election Continued from page 1
and phase-out of the Personal Property Tax. “More important than the governor’s support of any one issue is his overall commitment to creating jobs in Michigan and making our state a better place for business,” Hallan said. Atty. Gen. Schuette “Michigan retailers have known and worked with Mr. Schuette for many years because of his long record of public service,” Hallan said. “That relationship became even stronger when he was elected attorney general.” Schuette has extensive experience in both federal and state govern-
ment and has served Michigan in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government for three decades. He is a former congressman, state senator, state appeals court judge and state agriculture director. MRA worked with the attorney general’s staff to provide consumers with educational materials about the new Shopping Reform and Modernization Act, Hallan said, and his office is “always willing to discuss issues important to economic growth and job creation.” “Attorney General Schuette is an experienced and fair-minded regulator who has earned a second term,” he added.
August 2014
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Detroit Mercantile reflects two important eras by Doug Henze When customers step inside The Detroit Mercantile Co., they may see it as a cool, local shop – a trendy place with a retro look where they can snag Michigan merchandise. To proprietor Robert Stanzler, the retail outlet he started at Detroit’s Eastern Market in 2012 is so much more. It represents both the city’s glory days and what Detroit boosters hope signals the beginnings of a long-awaited renaissance. “It’s a tribute to Detroit’s Golden Age, which was from 1900 to 1930,” Stanzler said, pointing to an era when jobs, capital and industry were plentiful in the city. “Detroit was kind of the Silicon Valley of the early 20th Century.” In those days, the retail scene was dominated by locally based merchants with names such as J.L. Hudson Co. or Crowley Milner and Co. – stores that gave way to national chains and then to Internet warehouses. Stanzler’s 7,200-square-foot store is a nod to the small mom-and-pop operations of the past – with a modern twist. At general stores of old, shopkeepers stored hard-to-procure merchandise under glass, requiring shoppers to ask merchants for assistance. “At Detroit Mercantile there are a lot more ways for customers to touch and hold merchandise in the way they expect to in the 21st Century,” Stanzler said. “We really tried to make the store a compelling experience for customers, one that can’t be duplicated on the Internet.” Private Label To achieve that, the store offers a line of private-label items that range from apparel to pillows to glassware under the Detroit Mercantile brand. Stanzler also has assembled a collection of Michigan items, including work clothing produced by Dearbornbased Carhartt Inc. and boots made by Rockford-based Wolverine. Not all of the 400 or so items the store carries come from Michigan. But in an era of ubiquitous Chinese merchandise, Detroit Mercantile is bucking the import trend.
“Our store consists of all USA-made products,” Stanzler said. “There is a [manufacturing] swingback coming. The cost of fueling tankers to fill with products to bring back here from other countries is escalating.” Stanzler, known for launching the Made in Detroit clothing line in 1991, is a key supporter of the Michigan
customer service training that is the basis of all my current success,” he said. After selling Made in Detroit in 2005, Stanzler started a company
Tuesday through Sunday, is event space sometimes used for corporate or other gatherings. Twice a year, the Mercantile hosts 30 to 40 regional vendors, who rent space to showcase their wares at an event called the Mercantile Merry Market. “We want to connect our customers with Michigan brands,” Stanzler said. While 500-plus
“Detroit was kind of the Silicon Valley of the early 20th Century.”
Detroit Mercantile Co. owner Robert Stanzler wants to provide customers a compelling experience that can’t be duplicated on the Internet.
Retailers Association’s Buy Nearby campaign, which encourages consumers to buy from retail businesses in Michigan. “It’s the type of campaign we really appreciate because it enables small, Michigan companies to be recognized and grow,” said Stanzler, whose shop was the site of one of the July 23 press conferences introducing the campaign’s new mascot, Buy Nearby Guy. The earlier store resulted from a decision by Stanzler to fill underutilized space he was occupying at Eastern Market. Stanzler started in retail by working for Hudson’s in the mid1980s. At 19 he was the youngest store display manager in the company’s history, he said, and was responsible for visual merchandising the 120,000-square-foot store at Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor. “I credit Hudson’s with giving me the m e rc h a n d i s i n g a n d
called Detroit Manufacturing, a seller of apparel, dog collars and other items. The company, which largely sells its goods at festivals, uses the Eastern Market space for offices and as a fulfillment center. Understanding that an estimated 40,000 people pass by the space each day, Stanzler and then-partners Robert and Sherri Jameson decided to open the Mercantile in a 900-squarefoot space. Strong Growth In two years, the Mercantile has grown from two to five employees, in addition to Stanzler. The store surpassed $500,000 in sales last year, and this year is 25-30 percent ahead of the 2013 pace, he said. The Mercantile is planning another expansion – to increase the selling floor by 600 square feet – within 10 months. In 12 to 18 months, Stanzler expects to roll out plans for another location, with three to five Michigan stores ultimately planned. Supplementing revenue from the Eastern Market store, which operates
people wander through the Mercantile on a given Saturday, 2,500 may show up on event days, he said. For Stanzler, the business is not just about foot traffic generating revenues. It’s also about maintaining his Detroit roots and being part of the city’s – and the state’s – rebirth. That’s already under way, with grocer Meijer Inc. planning its second new Detroit store, entrepreneur Dan Gilbert collecting and filling downtown buildings, and a new light-rail transit system headed for Woodward Avenue. “My family has been in Detroit since the 1920s,” said Stanzler, whose fiancée, Kimberly Leitz-McCauley, and 16-year-old son, Taran Stanzler, are now part of his business. “I grew up in Flint, returning to Detroit every weekend until I was old enough to move here. I do feel passionate about it. I feel Michigan is a very special place.” Doug Henze is a freelance writer and former business reporter for the Oakland Press in Pontiac.
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Michigan Retailer
www.retailers.com
35 scholarships awarded for upcoming school year
Continued from page 1
arship program because it helps hundreds of students and their families afford a college education while providing contributors the opportunity to give back to their industry and add to their legacy of good works.” MRA’s scholarship program is managed by International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc., in Nashville, Tennessee. An independent panel of educators selects the recipients based on above-average academic achievement and extracurricular involvement. Financial need is not a consideration. The following students will receive scholarships for the 2014-15 academic year:
Arbor and will be a freshman at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti in the fall. Evett received the D. Larry Sherman Scholarship, named for MRA board member emeritus Sherman. Kaylan Fitch, of Onekama, daughter of Amy Fitch, an employee at West Shore Health Care Foundation in Manistee. Kaylan is a graduate of Onekama High School and will be a sophomore at Alma College in Alma in the fall. Fitch received the Nathan Rosenfeld Scholarship, named for the late founder of Jacobson Stores, Inc. Amanda Pippin, of Wyoming,
McCline received the Helen McCurry Legacy Scholarship, funded by contributions from MRA board member and former chair Joe McCurry in honor of his late wife, Helen.
butions from former MRA board member and chair Mark Schrag. The late Mr. Schrag owned and operated the former Season’s Fine Gifts store in Okemos.
Elizabeth Dorvinen, of Chassell, daughter of Joseph and Kathleen Dorvinen. Kathleen is an employee at Michigan Tech Campus Bookstore in Houghton. Elizabeth is a graduate of Houghton Central High School and will be a sophomore at Michigan Technological University in Houghton in the fall. Keaton Safar, of Macatawa, son of Richard Safar and Judith Bergsma. Richard is an employee of Meijer, Inc. in Grand Rapids. Keaton is a
Alexandra Gehle, of China Twp., daughter of Brian and Lynn Gehle. Brian is an employee at Art Van Furniture in Warren. Alexandra is a graduate of St. Clair High School and will be a freshman at Michigan State University in East Lansing in the fall. Grant Goodfellow, of Belmont, son of Randy and Marla Goodfellow. Randy is an employee at Kinetix, LLC in Kent City. Grant is a graduate of West Catholic High School in
Top Row (left to right): Ahee, Archambault, Budnick, Clark, Dam, Dorvinen, Evers, Fitch. Middle Row: Gauronskas, Gehle, Goodfellow, Gutowski, Hagerty, Hainline, Ketterer, Kline, Konen, Mallory, McCline. Bottom Row: Meier, Parks, Perkins, Plamp, Safar, Sears, Sliva, Tanner, Valle, Weiss, Winkler.
Legacy Scholarships Hana Ketterer, of Harbor Springs, an employee of Three Pines Studio in Cross Village. Hana is a graduate of Harbor Springs High School and will be a sophomore at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in the fall. She is the daughter of David and Michelle Ketterer. Ketterer received the Fred E. and Lillian Sherman Scholarship, funded by MRA board member emeritus D. Larry Sherman in honor of his parents, founders of the former Sherman Shoes in Greater Detroit. She also received this scholarship in 2013. Clare Evett, of Ann Arbor, daughter of Dr. Matthew and Susan Evett. Susan is an employee at Internet2/ UCAID in Ann Arbor. Clare is a graduate of Pioneer High School in Ann
daughter of Timothy and Janine Pippin, an employee of Thresholds in Grand Rapids. Amanda is a graduate of Wyoming Park High School and will be a freshman at Grand Valley State University in Allendale in the fall. Pippin received the Barb Stein Legacy Scholarship, funded by contributions from MRA board member and former chair Barb Stein. Stein is the owner and operator of Great Northern Trading Co. in Rockford. Miya McCline, of Redford, an employee of Kmart in Livonia. She is a graduate of Lee M. Thurston High School in Redford and will be a freshman at Schoolcraft College in Garden City in the fall. She is the daughter of James and Sandra McCline.
graduate of Holland High School in Holland and will be a freshman at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, in the fall. Dorvinen and Safar each received a Raymond A. and Mildred C. Sobelton Scholarship, funded by MRA board treasurer and former chair Peter Sobelton and his sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Douglas Stranahan, in honor of the Sobeltons’ parents, founders of Churchills Ltd. in Birmingham. Emily Konen, of Lansing, daughter of Kevin and Laura Konen. Kevin is an employee of Best Buy in Lansing. Emily is a graduate of Grand Ledge High School in Grand Ledge and will be a freshman at Grand Valley State University in the fall. Konen received the Mark Schrag Scholarship, funded by contri-
Grand Rapids and will be a freshman at Michigan State University in the fall. Gehle and Goodfellow each received a Joseph Swanson Legacy Scholarship, funded by contributions from MRA board member and former chair Joe Swanson, currently District Team Leader for Target Canada. Allison Archambault, of Huntington Woods, daughter of Gregg and Laura Archambault. Gregg is an employee at Intelliform, Inc. in Berkley. Allison is a graduate of Berkley High School and will be a freshman at Miami University-Oxford in Oxford, Ohio, in the fall. Lauren Budnick, of Garden City, daughter of Frances Budnick, an employee at Target, Co. in Dearborn Heights. Lauren is a graduate of Garden City High School and will be a
August 2014
freshman at Eastern Michigan University in the fall. Luke Mallor y, of Elwell, son of Robert Mallory, an employee of Powell Fabrication and Manufacturing in St. Louis. Luke is a graduate of Alma Senior High School and will be a freshman at Michigan State University in the fall. Przemyslaw Piotrowski, of Troy, son of Anna Piotrowski, an employee of Target in Rochester Hills. Przemyslaw is a graduate of Athens High School in Troy and will be a freshman at Kettering University in Flint in the fall. Riley Plamp, of Macomb, daughter of Jeff and Sue Plamp. Sue is an employee of Target in Macomb. Riley is a graduate of Dakota High School in Macomb and will be a freshman at the University of Michigan in the fall. A rc h a m b a u l t , B u d n i c k , M a llory, Piotrowski and Plamp each received a Target Corporation Scholarship, funded by contributions from Target. Victoria Gutowski, of Grand Rapids, daughter of Walter and Amy Gutoswki. The family owns Swift Printing & Communications in Grand Rapids. Victoria is a graduate of West Catholic High School in Grand Rapids and will be a freshman at Grand Valley State University in the fall. Gutowski received the James P. Hallan MRA Leadership Scholar ship, funded by contributions from MRA board member emeritus D. Larry Sherman in honor of the current MRA president and chief executive officer. Brandon Rober ts, of Dearborn Heights, son of Wendy Roberts, an employee of M-Den in Ann Arbor. He is a graduate of Crestwood High School in Dearborn Heights and will be a freshman at Grand Valley State University in the fall. Roberts received the Retailers Mutual Scholarship, funded by contributions from MRA’s workers’ compensation insurance program. Maria Sliva, of Houghton, an employee of Ward Sliva Inc. in Calumet. She is a graduate of Houghton Central High School and will be a freshman at Michigan State University in the fall. She is the daughter of Dennis and Michelle Sliva. Sliva received the Michigan Retailers Services, Inc., Scholarship, funded by contributions from the wholly owned subsidiary of MRA that delivers services to the membership. MRA Scholarships Ryan Ahee, of Auburn Hills, son of John and Sheryl Ahee. John is an em-
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ployee at Meijer, Inc. in Grand Rapids. Ryan is a graduate of Avondale High School in Auburn Hills and will be a freshman at the Michigan State University in the fall. Nicholas Austin, of Union City, son of Rick and Patricia Austin and Paulette McDowell. McDowell is an employee at Art Van Furniture in Battle Creek. Nicholas is a graduate of Union City High School and will be a freshman at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant in the fall. Erin Clark, of Portage, daughter of Steve and Jane Clark. Steve is an employee at Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo. Erin is a graduate of MSGR John R. Hackett Catholic Central High School and will be a freshman at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio, in the fall. Michelle Dam, of Grand Rapids, daughter of Melissa Thai, an employee at Meijer, Inc. in Grand Rapids. Michelle is a graduate of Grandville High School in Grandville and will be a junior at Ferris State University in Big Rapids in the fall. Roxanne Evers, of Hudsonville, an employee at Meijer, Inc. in Grand Rapids. Evers is a graduate of Hudsonville High School and will be a senior at Grand Valley State University in the fall. She is the daughter of Edward and Dawn Evers. She also received MRA scholarships in 2011 and 2012. Alexander Gauronskas, of Sterling Heights, son of Steven and Joan Gauronskas. Steven is an employee at Art Van Furniture in Warren. Alexander is a graduate of Henry Ford II High School in Sterling Heights and will be a freshman at Michigan Technological University in the fall.
sity in Ada, Ohio, in the fall. She is the daughter of Todd and Linda Kline. Marci Meier, of West Branch, an employee of Meier Glass Service in West Branch. She is a graduate of Ogemaw Heights High School in West Branch and will be a freshman at Delta College in University Center in the fall. She is the daughter of William Meier. Chad Parks, of Gladstone, son of Steven and Candice Parks. Candice is an employee of Ouwinga Orthodontics in Escanaba. Chad is a graduate of Gladstone Area High School and will be a freshman at Michigan Technological University in the fall. Rachel Perkins, of Howell, daughter of Ilene and Bob McMann. Bob is an employee of Art Van Furniture in Howell. Rachel is a graduate of Hartland High School in Hartland and will be a freshman at Saginaw Valley State University in University Center in the fall. Jason Sears, of Battle Creek, an employee of Pennfield Pizza in Battle Creek. Sears is a graduate of Pennfield Senior High School in Battle Creek and will be a freshman at Ferris State University in the fall. He is the son of
Randy and Kathy Sears. Olivia Tanner, of Petoskey, an employee of Symons General Store in Petoskey. She is a graduate of Petoskey High School and will be a freshman at Michigan Technological University in the fall. Olivia is the daughter of Timothy and Renee Tanner. Alexander Valle, of Marquette, an employee of Valle’s Village Market in Marquette. He is a graduate of Marquette Senior High School and will be a freshman at Northern Michigan University in Marquette in the fall. He is the son of Michael and Ana Marie Valle and Peter and Amy Supanich. Kayla Weiss, of Birch Run, daughter of Troy and Shirley Weiss. Shirley is an employee of Meijer, Inc. in Birch Run. Kayla is a graduate of Birch Run High School and will be a freshman at Central Michigan University in the fall. John Winkler, of Traverse City, son of Jeff and Janine Winkler. Janine is an employee of Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools. John is a graduate of St. Francis High School in Traverse City and will be a freshman at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City in the fall.
Get Ready For Buy Nearby
“Get Caught Blue-Handed Day” Saturday, October 4, 2014
Kaitlin Hager ty, of Brooklyn, daughter of Chad and Trinda Hagerty. Chad is an employee at Brooklyn Plumbing, Heating, & AC Inc. in Clarklake. Kaitlin is a graduate of Columbia Central High School in Brooklyn and will be a freshman at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo in the fall. Amanda Hainline, of Battle Creek, daughter of Greg and Kristi Hainline. Greg is an employee at Art Van Furniture in Portage. Amanda is a graduate of Harper Creek High School in Battle Creek and will be a freshman at Northwood University in Midland in the fall. Tiffany Kline, of Marne, an employee of Meijer, Inc. in Grand Rapids. She is a graduate of Coopersville High School in Coopersville and will be a sophomore at Ohio Northern Univer-
Celebrate Michigan and the great local shopping across the state.
BuyNearbyMI.com
SM
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Michigan Retailer
www.retailers.com
Buying ‘nearby’ worth extra $9B Continued from page 1
“At Michigan Retailers Association we know that retail purchases made right here in Michigan have a monumental impact on our state and local communities. We now have data showing just how positive those benefits could be,” said Hallan.
would mean more than $1.8 billion in increased activity and 15,000 new jobs. Buy Nearby also has prepared a colorful “infographic” that includes data from other sources, to drive home the benefits of making purchases from retail businesses that invest in Michigan, employ Michigan workers and contribute to Michigan communities and organizations. Roughly half of every dollar spent in a Michigan store goes back into the local and Michigan economies, and more than 866,000 Michigan jobs are directly dependent on retail sales. In addition, approximately 18 percent of all economic activity in Michigan comes from the retail sector. “Buying from retail businesses in Michigan helps keep our hard-earned money in the Mitten,” said Hallan. “That benefits everyone and every community in our state.”
“Buying from retail businesses in Michigan helps keep our hardearned money in the Mitten. That benefit s everyone and every community in our state.” The Buy Nearby campaign, which commissioned the study, notes that if Michigan consumers switched only one in 10 of their purchases from out-ofstate merchants to retailers in Michigan, they would still add more than $900 million in increased economic activity and 7,463 new jobs. Switching one in five purchases
Buy Nearby Guy to remind shoppers Continued from page 1
“We’re thrilled to have enlisted the help of The Parade Company to bring this campaign to life through the development of a Buy Nearby mascot, who will serve as a reminder to residents statewide to support retailers and communities in Michigan,” Hallan added. The Buy Nearby campaign is an ongoing, year-round, feel-good campaign intended to create excitement about the great shopping in Michigan and the advantages of supporting retailers and communities in Michigan. The host retailers for the news conferences talked about the importance of strong community support. “As a local retailer, my business is able to thrive only with the support of dedicated customers and citizens who make it a priority to shop nearby, instead of through out-of-state online retailers,” said Brian Jones, co-owner of Playmakers, a footwear and apparel store in Okemos, near Lansing. “Each and every Michigander has the ability to make a substantial impact on businesses like mine, simply by switching their purchases from out-of-state, online retailers to their neighborhood stores and shopping centers in the communities where they live, work, vacation and visit,” said Robert Stanzler, owner of Detroit Mercantile in Detroit’s Eastern Mar-
ket (also see page 5). “When you Buy Nearby, you receive one-of-a-kind service, a quality product and the satisfaction that comes with supporting Michigan’s economy and the local community,” said Jeff Joyce, owner of Mieras Family Shoes in Grand Rapids. He is also a member of the Retailers Mutual Board of Directors. Blue-Handed Day October 4 is Get Caught BlueHanded Day in Michigan, the annual “celebration” of the yearround campaign. On that first Saturday in October, retail businesses and communities are encouraged to hold special sales or events to give shoppers an extra reason for buying nearby. Shoppers can post photos of themselves “getting caught” buying nearby or post positive comments about their shopping day on the Buy Nearby Facebook page. “The goal is to make the day even more fun and festive, so consumers can enjoy getting out and exploring all the great shopping in Michigan,” said Hallan. Buy Nearby is sponsored by DTE Energy. Supporting sponsors include AT&T, Michigan State Housing Development Authority and Retailers Mutual Insurance Company.
August 2014
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RETAIL TECHNOLOGY NEWS
New processing service to help boost business John Mayleben CPP, is MRA senior vice president technology and new product development and a national expert on electronic payment processing. He is the first person in Michigan and among the first in the nation to receive the Certified Payments Professional designation from the national Electronic Transactions Association. Until recently, the fees associated with your merchant processing account were a cost of doing business. Most retail businesses in the U.S. today view the fees charged by their merchant processor as a “necessary evil.” Michigan Retailers Association is in the final stages of developing a service that will change this mindset. The big-box stores, for years, have had customer “clubs” that they use to track purchases, identify trends and encourage loyal shoppers to return. Small retailers have tried to operate in this space with loyalty cards or keychain tags, but keeping those at “top of wallet” for consumers is a challenge because customers have to carry so many of them. These cards and tags are also somewhat “invasive,” because consumers must perform several actions to participate. They must sign up, receive a card or tag and choose to use it each time they shop in your store. All of that is about to change...for the better! Track Transactions With our new service, you as business owner will be able to track transactions by credit or debit card number. You will be able to see the frequency that a customer shops in your store and whether or not the consumer is a repeat customer or a new one. All of these tracking points and others will key off the merchant processing transaction and the card that is used at the point of sale. It does not matter how you handle the transaction. It works with elaborate POS systems, traditional standalone terminals, smart phone or tablet transactions and even the old-fashioned “knucklebuster.” The service will be divided into three parts: the collection of transaction data, the tracking of social media (Facebook, Twitter, Yelp and others) and the use of marketing promotions to reach your customers based on their shopping patterns. The first, collection of data, will happen each night as you settle your
batch. Each transaction in the batch will be collected (minus the full card data to eliminate the possibility of a PCI data breach) and reported to you if you sign up for the service. Track Social Media The second part of the service will allow you to track, in one place, all of your social media efforts. If you have a Facebook page, a Twitter account, Yelp or any of the many other social media communication tools, you will be able to manage them all in one place. This part of the program allows you to set up events or offers and have them push out to your social media customers at a later time. You no longer must remember to log in on a Tuesday morning to generate an offer; you can set it up on Saturday evening and have it “published” on Tuesday morning. You also can configure the system to immediately notify you when a customer posts a “low score” or a comment about your business on any of the various social media sites. This will allow you to respond appropriately in quick fashion. Customer Offers The third part of the service enables you to push offers to your regular customers and reward their loyalty. With the data collected under the first section of the program, you can set certain flags that automatically generate an “offer” to your customer. For example, you could automatically send first-time customers a thank-you along with an invitation to come back and save 10 percent. To accomplish this third part, you must collect the consumer’s email address – but this can be as simple as training your staff to ask each consumer who pays with a card if he or she would like to receive an “offer.” With the email address entered in your system, you can link that customer’s card transactions to his or her email account and start tracking specific actions and make specific offers to that customer. Watch your mailboxes (snail mail and email) in the near future for information about this exciting and valuable new service from Michigan Retailers Association.
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NEW MEMBERS C & M Holding Inc. dba Colony Party Store, Algonac Dunleavy’s Downriver Inc., Allen Park Top Shelf Liquor, Allen Park Consolidated Fruit Distributors Inc., Alpena Celebration Cellars Inc., Ann Arbor Once Upon a Child, Ann Arbor World of Beer, Ann Arbor Bonfiglio Trucking, Auburn Hills Kevin Gates Trucking, Auburn Hills Main Street Mercantile, Bad Axe Columbus Laundry, Bay City Hugo Fales American Legion & Post 203, Belding ET Automotive And Machine Inc., Bridgeport ConsultX LLC, Brighton FreedomNet Solutions, Byron Center Half Moon Bar & Grill, Casnovia Lakeshore Auto Sales & Service, Central Lake Clio Big Boy, Clio Coopersville Area Chamber of Commerce, Coopersville Bronx Detroit LLC, Detroit Donovan’s Pub Inc., Detroit Witherell Entertainment Inc. dba Flame Grill, Detroit Kelly Window & Door Manufacturing Inc., Detroit Mighion Detroit Inc., Detroit Knob Hill Tavern, Dewitt
High Mark Enterprises LLC, Dorr Cooters Bar & Grill, Elsie Ebels Family Center Inc., Falmouth Carman-Ainsworth Senior Citizen Org., Flint J W’s Music Factory, Flint The Machine Shop of Flint, Flint J & E Boyer Enterprises Corp., Galesburg Mary’s Tavern, Gaylord Miceli’s Corner LLC, Gladwin Lush Lawn, Grand Blanc Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #925, Grand Haven 2 Be Continued, Grand Rapids 5K Foam Fest, Grand Rapids Allegan Area Run Club, Grand Rapids AM VETS Post 23, Grand Rapids CADSA, Grand Rapids Fennville 5K, Grand Rapids Hamilton Point Inc., Grand Rapids Hospice of Michigan, Grand Rapids Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Grand Rapids Light It Up-5K Glow in the Dark Race, Grand Rapids New Beginnings Restaurant Inc., Grand Rapids Run Thru Sparta 5K, Grand Rapids Walking By Faith, Grand Rapids
West Michigan Urgent Care Inc., Grand Rapids Worsfold McFarlane McDonald PLLC, Grand Rapids Region 7-B Employment & Training Consortium, Harrison PayStr LLC, Haslett Cottage Inn Pizza, Hillsdale Greco Resin International LLC, Holland La Hacienda, Holland MIOA Holland, Holland Skip’s Lounge, Houghton Lake Synthoil Supply, Hubbell The Hayloft, Ida Heels N Wheels Inc. dba Cracker Jaxx, Jackson Highland Alzheimers, Jackson Oasis Red Bull Tavern Inc., Kewadin Lakeview Banquet & Events Center, Laingsburg Parkside Bar & Grill, Lake Orion Len’s Pool & Spa Inc., Lakeport Century Glass Co., Lansing Lansing Catholic High School, Lansing Mars Party Store LLC, Lansing TCB Food Processing LLC, Lawrence Northern Precision Products Inc., Leroy Sunrise Lake Bar Inc., Leroy Sporty’s Wing Shack & Smokehouse, Linwood Le Serving Spoon, Ludington Alice’s Kandy & Korn, Mackinaw City U.S. Lawns of Macomb County, Macomb Peter White Public Library, Marquette Grounds Coffee Midland Inc., Midland Millington Pharmacy LLC, Millington Walker’s Lanes & Restaurant Inc., Mio Clamdigger Lounge & Pizzeria, Monroe One For the Money LLC, Monroe Moe-Z Inn, Morley Wayside Central, Mount Pleasant Ratajczak’s Inc., Munger
Jewelry Store For Sale or Lease Owner retiring after 35 years of profitable business in Houghton Lake. Business only or building with additional rentals.
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Christian Care Inc., Muskegon Barr’s Bar, Negaunee Tino’s Bar & Pizza Inc., Negaunee Airport Chauffeur Service, Okemos Jolly Dutchman, Onaway Segur’s Auto & Performance LLC, Ottawa Lake Advanced Machine Technologies LLC, Owosso Kiranbilla Inc., Owosso Eagle V Corporation, Paw Paw Wolverine Stages, Pellston ETA Chapter of Sigma Delta Tau, Plymouth Garvin’s Spike Horn Bar & Restaurant Inc., Prudenville Crossroads Saloon Inc., Rapid City Rapid River Pub II LLC, Rapid River Remus Tavern, Remus Rogue River Tavern, Rockford McPherson Painting LLC, Roseville Hospital Hospitality House of Saginaw Inc., Saginaw Tri City Kustomz, Saginaw Paradigm, Saint Clair Shores Red Oak Lounge Ltd., Sanford Soo Corner Store, Sault Sainte Marie Soo Entertainment Co Inc., Sault Sainte Marie Stony Lake Investments Inc., Shelby Lanco Corporation, Sparta Al-Shoroq Management Inc., Sterling Heights New Life Presbyterian Church, Sterling Heights Sportsarama Inc., Sturgis Swartz Creek Dairy Queen, Swartz Creek Armand Roth Inc., Traverse City Flees Enterprise Full Service & Automotive, Traverse City Grand Traverse Mobile Communications Inc., Traverse City Sail Inn, Traverse City Jerzey’s Sports Bar, Trenton Great Lakes Tent Co., Warren Gastroenterology Assoc. of West MI, Wyoming Gutters Covers of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti Borculo Service Inc., Zeeland Walters Gardens Inc., Zeeland
Looking for the best way to reach retailers in Michigan? Advertise in the Michigan Retailer. Rates as low as $35 per issue.
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August 2014
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MRA to help members get share of $6 billion MRA has hired a national expert on class-action lawsuit recovery to help members receive their rightful share of the recent $6 billion settlement involving Visa and MasterCard processing fees. The Association is teaming up with MCAG, based in Toledo, Ohio, to simplify the claims process for participating members. MCAG will provide supporting data on the
Loss prevention, social media tips focus of webinars Free member webinars in September and October will focus on using social media to market your business and loss prevention tools and equipment to protect it. The online sessions are free to MRA members and are put on by the national Council of State Retail Associations’ Retail University. On September 23, social media expert Paul Gillin will review the basics of social media marketing plus provide more in-depth tips and tricks to leverage your own subject matter expertise in social channels. Gillin is a writer, speaker, online marketing consultant and social media coach for the firm Profitecture. He has worked with companies of all sizes and published more than 200 articles and books on new media. He blogs at paulgillin.com and Newspaper Death Watch. On October 22, security consultant Kevin Plante will review categories of tools and equipment you can use to prevent loss in your retail store. He also will provide insight into factoring in risk, acceptable loss and customer perception in making decisions about buying physical security items. Plante is a leader in the loss prevention industry and owner of KMP Security Consulting. He has chaired the Retailers Association of Massachusetts Loss Prevention Committee since 2004. Both sessions begin at 10:30 a.m. EDT and run one hour. To register for one or both of the free webinars, please contact MRA’s Laura Schilling at lschilling@retailers.com or 800.366.3699 ext. 313.
amount the member processed during the period covered by the unprecedented settlement. MRA and MCAG also will file and track the claim on a participating member’s behalf. Merchants that accepted Visa and MasterCard purchases in the U.S. between January 1, 2004, and November 28, 2102, are expected to be eligible to file a claim. MCAG’s involvement will make it unnecessary for participating MRA members to search their own records to come up with the data for that period or file the necessary paperwork. Claims are not yet being accepted and no claim forms are available, according to MCAG and the settlement’s official website. A U.S. District Court in New York gave “final approval” last December 13 to the settlement in the lawsuit claiming merchants paid excessive fees for accepting Visa and MasterCard because of an alleged conspiracy among the defendants. However, the settlement is under appeal. The claims process will not begin until all appeals have been settled, according to MCAG. MRA will provide additional information in the future on the settlement and how to enroll in the MRA/MCAG service.
Membership Services Corner by Penny Sierakowski, MRA Customer Service Department Manager Quick notes on key services. Call 800.563.5981 for credit card processing assistance or 800.366.3699 for other matters. We appreciate your membership. Let us know whenever we can help you with your question or problem. Credit Card Processing • Minimum/maximum transaction limits: You cannot impose a minimum transaction amount on debit cards or prepaid cards. However, you can impose a minimum transaction amount – not to exceed $10 – on credit cards. If you do, you must display this policy at the entrance of your business as well as at the cash register/checkout station. • If you use a wireless terminal, please contact Customer Service to verify if the terminal is 2G or 3G, to prevent any interruption with your wireless processing. • Credit card fraud is on the rise. Our Customer Service staff can verify any suspicious email, phone or Internet orders you receive. Call us before processing the transaction. • To keep processing costs low, answer all prompts on the terminal, including AVS (street number
and zip code), CVV (3-digit security code on the back of card), Sales Tax (sales tax amount only), PO Number (if you don’t use a purchase order number, the default would be the last four digits of the card number). • Guard against tampering. Control access to your credit card processing equipment and only allow authorized people to handle your point-of-sale device. • On occasion, you may receive a phone call or email from one of our merchant processing partners – Control Scan (PCI Compliance) or TransFirst (processing). Both partners will be able to provide your Merchant ID number to validate who they are; therefore, please ask them to confirm your merchant account information. • Don’t forget to order your processing supplies before the holidays arrive. Call Customer Service and select option 3. • These terminals are no longer PCI Compliant and need to be upgraded: Zon, Tranz, Omni, Hypercom T7P, Nurit. Please contact Customer Service to obtain upgrade options. • Data security compliance is mandatory. You must complete an annual PCI Self-Assessment Questionnaire to verify if your business is PCI compliant. Visit http://www. compliance101.com to begin the questionnaire.
“There is a reason why we have been helping retailers succeed for 100 years!” Judson Lynch, Co-CEO, Lynch Sales Company Since 1914, the family-owned Lynch Sales Company has delivered on our promise to help our retail clients succeed through Lynch promotional sales. I am particularly proud that many of those storeowners reward us with their repeat business, time and again. Contact us for details and receive a special, limited edition 100th anniversary commemorative as our gift. Plus, retailers who hold a Lynch ‘Sale of the Century’ during 2014 automatically become eligible for our Grand Prize of a trip for two to Ireland!
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Introducing Buy Nearby Guy
Buy Nearby Guy was ready for his closeup when being introduced to the news media at July 23 news conferences across the state. MRA President and CEO James P. Hallan teamed up with local retailers in Detroit, Okemos and Grand Rapids to announce that the colorful mascot will appear throughout the state to remind shoppers of the importance of buying from retail businesses that invest in Michigan with stores, websites, employees and community involvement. All photos by David Trumpie unless noted.
Brian Jones of Playmakers in Okemos explains the importance of community involvement and support to his store.
Television and print reporters set up in the aisles at Playmakers in Okemos to see the Buy Nearby campaign’s logo-come-to-life.
Jeff Joyce of Mieras Shoes poses with Buy Nearby Guy before the start of the Grand Rapids news conference.
Hallan explains the Buy Nearby campaign and the role of Buy Nearby Guy to a Grand Rapids television reporter at Mieras Shoes.
Hallan leads Buy Nearby Guy to the podium for the start of the Okemos news conference.
At Detroit Mercantile, Hallan and proprietor Robert Stanzler explain the economic benefits to local communities and the state economy of buying nearby. Photo by Patrick Kerwin
Cameras and microphones start the day for Jim Hallan at The Detroit Mercantile Co. in downtown Detroit. Photo by Patrick Kerwin