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Positive Holiday Forecasts
Michigan retailers see improved sales for the holiday season, but their optimism is tempered by the uncertainty created in D.C. Page 3
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Help with Bad Checks
An innovative county prosecutor has come up with a highly cost-effective program for dealing with writers of bad checks. Page 9
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New Lottery Game
The Lottery introduces a new game that combines features of instant tickets and games with a nightly drawing. Page 11
® October 2013 Vol. 38 No. 5
January 1 marks start of new insurance era Editor’s note: On October 1, the federal online marketplace for purchasing health insurance opened for business. Millions of would-be users have been thwarted in their attempts to access the website because of high demand and “bugs.” Efforts are underway to address the issues as of this writing, and Americans are still expected to purchase health insurance or pay a tax penalty for non-compliance. January 1, 2014, marks the beginning of a new era for health insurance in the United States. That’s when the final and most significant provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA for short) take effect. The federal health reform law is fundamentally changing the structure of health insurance in this country and will have an impact on you. Many people who already have health insurance are unaware that the ACA will affect them personally. All health insurance plans for businesses that employ less than 50 people have been modified to meet ACA requirements. Today’s individual and group plans won’t look exactly the same next year. These are four major ACA-related changes coming to health insurance that take effect with the start of the new year: 1. The individual mandate to have health insurance For 2014, the tax penalty for not having insurance is the greater of $95 per adult and $47.50 per child up to $285 for a family, or 1 percent of household income. By 2016, the tax goes up to the greater of $695 per adult and $347.50 per child or 2.5 percent of household income. Gaps in coverage of three months or less are exempt from penalty. Continued on page 5
The official publication of the Michigan Retailers Association
SM
www.retailers.com
Encouraging start for Buy Nearby day Buy Nearby’s first annual celebration has gone into the books as a qualified success and an encouraging start for the new campaign.
The first Saturday in October, branded as Get Caught Blue-Handed Day to encourage shoppers to buy nearby at Michigan retail businesses,
Two youngsters celebrate Buy Nearby Get Caught Blue-Handed Day in Downtown Rockford. Photo by David Trumpie
Company embraces roots, honors long-time workers by Doug Henze
In a bygone era, when working for the same employer for decades was more rule than exception, companies were like families. Global competition, greater reliance on technology, downsizing and a more transient workforce have largely eroded the familial feeling – and with it much of the sense of company history. Step inside the Lansing home of Marshall Music, however, and you’ll experience a blast from the past.
In August the company honored its first set of pioneers -- now known as the “Legends of Marshall Music” -- by unveiling a series of portraits drawn by artist and employee Elyse Gray. At the same time, the company paid tribute to its longest-serving employees: 11 Lansing store workers who have served the company for at least a quarter of a century.
generated fun and increased sales for many participating retailers. Not all retailers and shoppers were aware of the new campaign, however. “For the first year of such an ambitious, statewide campaign to modify consumers’ buying habits, things went very well,” said James P. Hallan, MRA president and CEO. “Buy Nearby more than met our expectations and demonstrated strong potential for the future. We still have a long way to go, but we’re pleased at this year’s results and we’re committed to growing the campaign next year and for years to come.” Survey Results MRA launched Buy Nearby this past April as a year-round campaign to increase traffic and sales at Michigan retail businesses. The campaign is “celebrated” one day a year – the first Saturday in October – to focus media and shoppers’ attention on it. The campaign is both fun and educational. It’s intended to remind shoppers of the fun of shopping at Michigan retail businesses and to drive home the economic importance of supporting Michigan communities and businesses. Among respondents to MRA’s follow-up survey, 28 percent said their Continued on page 6
Main St. Fairness clears committee
Roots “As a company gets older, sometimes you lose track of your roots,” said President and CEO Dan Marshall, explaining why the lunchtime ceremony was so important. “All my legends are gone. And the fact is, I’m bringing people in who have no idea what these people did. I’m going to make sure, in every store,
Main Street Fairness legislation cleared an important hurdle in the Michigan Legislature on September 11 when it was reported out of committee and sent to the floor of the House. After months of discussion and several holdups due to partisan politics, nine members of the House Tax Policy Committee voted for the bipartisan issue that’s critical to the health of Michigan retailers. Committee Chairman Jeff Farrington (R-Utica) allowed the committee to vote on the issue even though he did not personally support the bills. House Bills 4202 and 4203 help level
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