| As I See It... | 
My primary responsibility as manager of this facility is to the citizens of Rogers.
Municipal liquor developed after prohibition to control the distribution and consumption of alcohol in communities concerned about the potential resurgence of organized crime and the social ills associated with drinking. Over time it evolved into a revenue production mechanism for its member cities.
Our job as revenue producers for the city is to generate as many dollars as we can for our residents. One of our colleagues has a goal to empty the pockets of every customer each day! He believes, as I do, that if we provide a clean, inviting and evolving shopping environment our consumers will spend more money with each visit.
Many of you have seen significant reductions in customer counts over the unseasonably warm and relatively snowless winter. It is still possible to monitor your gross profit, reduce unnecessary labor expenses, possibly shorten your hours of operation and maintain an acceptable level of profitability.
Every adult resident is your boss!
Be aware that many of your residents only contact with a city employee is at your liquor store. Does your store and staff create a positive impression of local government?
With this thought in mind I want all of you to be acutely aware of the fact that it is your responsibility to diligently strive to make your business operate more efficiently and profitably each day.
Please keep yourselves busy and consistently involved in improving this business for your bosses, the residents of your community.
If you are an elected official, administrator or clerk and need information on how to create more efficiency in your liquor enterprise fund call me or any other Director.
Any decision regarding your liquor store should be made with all of the appropriate information. You owe that to the citizens of your community!
Gary Buysse
Rogers Liquor Manager |
| 2012 Retail Outlook | |
For Retailers, 2012 All About Customer Interaction and Experience, NRF/KPMG Report Finds -Growing mobile capabilities, web personalization tactics top strategic priorities for retailers-
Washington, February 15, 2012 - In an effort to build customer engagement, capture wallet share and accelerate sales growth, retailers in 2012 will focus on a number of customer-centric functions, including IT and e-commerce investments, enhancing customer service initiatives and, building on their mobile platforms.
A new report from the National Retail Federation Foundation and KPMG LLP, Retail Horizons: Benchmarks for 2011, Forecasts for 2012, which surveyed 247 retail executives from various sectors, outlines retailers' top strategic initiatives for 2012 including merchandising, ecommerce, store and field operations, supply chain and human capital, among others.
"Retailers are poised to enter 2012 with a renewed focus on building up and building out many of their most important operations, hoping to establish a new sense of brand loyalty with all of their customers," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.
"Though customers are always a company's top priority, customer satisfaction will get a huge facelift this year. From increasing their brand visibility through cross-channel initiatives to providing unique, personalized shopping experiences through every channel, retailers have indicated 2012 is all about the customer."
According to the survey, nearly 67 percent of companies rank customer satisfaction as the top strategic initiative for 2012 and, similarly, 82 percent say customer service strategies will be their top priority in the coming year, up from 75 percent last year.
For the first time in the survey's ten-year history, retailers' websites or online channels eclipsed physical stores as the top channel for marketers (81% for brick-and-mortar vs. 86% online).
As such, retail executives say they will invest in programs that directly resonate with today's shopper. According to the survey, 85 will emphasize increasing online sales, up from 83 percent in 2011, and 38 percent will have a greater focus on increasing m-Commerce (mobile commerce) sales over the next year, up from 29 percent in 2011.
Additionally, more than half (53%) of those surveyed say they will specifically focus on web personalization engines in the coming months, which includes such enhancements as location-based services and tracking methods unique to shopping habits.
To better serve mobile-savvy shoppers in their stores, retailers also stated enhancing handheld technologies, such as mobile point-of-sale, will be a core focus over the next 18 months. While 17 percent already use mobile POS technologies in their store, an additional 33 percent indicate they plan further POS investments during that timeframe.
"Compared to the past few years, retailers have turned their attention to growth acceleration, with an emphasis on improved customer engagement strategies and tactics," said Mark Larson, KPMG's global head of retail. "Harnessing the vast amounts of customer data they have at their disposal to create unique consumer interactions will be critical, especially as digital sales grow.
Clearly the retailers who master the one-to-one customer approach, and who also leverage the full potential of e-and-mobile commerce platforms, will be in a much stronger position to gain wallet share."
Aiming to grow that customer interaction, 45 percent of companies are actively developing widgets, gadgets or advanced links that can be incorporated with their social media pages, and another 41 percent are planning to develop these items over the next 18 months.
Other KPMG/NRF survey findings:
* Thirty-three percent reported increases of greater than 5 percent in same store sales in 2011, up from 21 percent in 2010.
* After years of practicing cost containment, this year more than half (52%) of respondents plan to increase their IT budgets
* Nine in 10 (91%) respondents said they will focus on leadership assessment, development and succession, up from 83 percent in 2011. Additionally, 52 percent will increase associate training, up from 39 percent last year.
* As the number of multichannel shoppers continues to grow, so will retailers' focus on price optimization - more than one-third (35%) of respondents will focus on solidifying their price optimization technologies over the next 18 months.
* Nearly six in 10 (59%) say new customer acquisition is their top strategic priority for 2012, up from 55 percent in 2011
For more information about the report and how to obtain a copy, please visit http://www.nrffoundation.com/retail-horizons
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| Mapleton Job Openings | 
POSITION OPENING:
ON-SALE / OFF-SALE
MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORE MANAGER
The City of Mapleton is currently accepting applications for the full- time/with benefits position of On-Sale / Off- Sale Liquor Store Manager.
This individual oversees and administers the day-today operations of the municipal liquor store.
Duties to include, but not limited to: Supervising staff, purchasing and inventory control, pricing, budgeting, marketing, promotions, bartending, and customer relations.
Starting date on or about April 1, 2012.
Desired qualifications: management experience with municipal liquor store or similar operations including retail sales experience; valid MN driver's license; proficiency with office equipment and computerized cashiering system.
Must be able to work days, weekends and holidays.
Starting Salary $14.90.
Application forms available at Mapleton City Hall, 104 2nd Avenue NE, Mapleton, MN, 56065 or by calling 507-524-3492.
Cover letter and completed application due March 13, 2012, 4:00 PM Central.
Submit to:
City of Mapleton
PO Box 366
Mapleton, MN 56065
Fax: 507-524-4536
Email: mptn@hickorytech.net
Equal Opportunity Employer
Position Opening -Lead Bartender
The City of Mapleton is accepting applications for the position of Lead Bartender.
This position is up to 30 hour per week.
Duties will include assisting manager with inventory, bartending, daily sales report and scheduling staff.
Starting wage is $11.60.
Desired skills include experience in bookkeeping, computer skills and previous bartending experience.
Variable schedule will include nights and weekends. Applications can be obtained from City Hall, 104 2nd Avenue N.E., Mapleton, MN 56065.
Completed applications must be received at City Hall by 4:00 p.m. on March 16, 2012.
EOE |
| Legislative Update | 
From MMBA Lobbyist Sarah J. Psick
Redistricting: This past Tuesday was a day every sitting legislator was both looking forward to and dreading at the same time. At 1:00 p.m., the Supreme Court appointed special redistricting panel released the new legislative map which will be used for Minnesota legislative and congressional elections for the next ten years.
Once the data from the court and the maps were reviewed, it became apparent that many current legislators are "paired" in the same legislative district and several new or "open" districts were created. In the Minnesota House, 15 new or open seats are created and 30 incumbents are paired. Of these, six seats are DFL vs DFL, six seats are Republican vs Republican, and three seats are DFL vs Republican.
In the Minnesota Senate, eight new or open seats are created and 16 incumbents are paired. Of these, two seats are DFL vs DFL, four seats are Republican vs Republican, and two seats are DFL vs Republican. In Minnesota, a legislator must live in the district that he or she represents. So, for some of the pairings, one legislator could choose to move to a different district.
Since the redistricting maps were released, several legislators have announced retirements, to date, six current House members have announced they will run for state Senate seats, and one current state Senator has announced a run for Congress. More announcements regarding current legislator's election plans will be coming in the days and weeks ahead.
Sex Offender Notification Loophole: This week, the Minnesota House and Senate passed a bill which Governor Dayton signed to close a loophole in the sex offender community notification law. Under current law, local law enforcement is prohibited from holding community otification meetings on sex offenders being provisionally discharged from the Minnesota Sexual Offender Program to a half-way house. The bill passed and signed into law will authorize local law enforcement to notify the public when a sex offender from that program is released into the community. The bill was passed with broad bi-partisan support in both the House and Senate and quickly signed by Governor Dayton.
Teacher Preparation: Governor Dayton signed a bill, HF 1770, requiring teachers to pass a basic skills exam in order to receive a Minnesota teaching license. Current law requires Minnesota colleges and universities that offer a teacher preparation program to provide remedial assistance and academic support to teacher candidates that do not pass the basic skills exam. Last year, Governor Dayton vetoed an earlier version of this bill; the current bill includes changes made through negotiations between the legislature, the Dayton Administration, and key stakeholder groups.
Castle Doctrine: The Senate joined the House in passing a bill called the "Castle Doctrine". This bill expands the circumstances under which individuals may use a weapon in self-defense. Current law allows people to defend themselves if a felony is being committed in their home, or in cases where an individual fears "great bodily harm or death." The legislation allows individuals to shoot from homes, cars, or public spaces if they felt threatened with substantial harm. The bill is opposed by law enforcement and county-attorney associations who feel it will put officers at greater risk. The bill was mostly passed along party lines and a veto from Governor Dayton is expected.
Next Week: On Wednesday, February 29 the Minnesota Management and Budget department will release the February budget forecast. This forecast will be used to make any necessary adjustments to the biennial budget and will be used as guidance as the bonding bill is assembled. |
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| Future Dates to Remember!! |  |
2012 MMBA / MLBA Legislative Day
February 27, 2012
Kelly Inn - St. Paul
2012 MMBA Annual Conference
May 20-22, 2012
Arrowwood Resort
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| Ask A Director |
Gary Buysse
Rogers
763-428-0163
Cathy Pletta Kasson 507-634-7618 Vicki Segerstrom Milaca 320-983-6255 Brian Hachey Stacy 651-462-2727
Nancy Drumsta Delano 763-972-0578
Lara Smetana Pine City 320-629-2020
Michael Friesen Hawley 218-483-4747
Tom Agnes
Brooklyn Center
763-381-2349
Toni Buchite
50 Lakes
218-763-2035
Bridgitte Konrad North Branch 651-674-8113 Shelly Dillon Callaway 218-375-4691 Paul Kaspszak MMBA 763-572-0222 1-866-938-3925
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| Wine 101 |  | |
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| Whiskey Pretzels |  | |
Kasson Liquor manager Cathy Pletta has received many requests for her Whiskey Pretzels recipe.
Here it is:
1 bag pretzels
1 stick butter
3T whiskey
3T brown sugar
1 t cayenne powder
1 t garlic powder
Melt butter and brown sugar together. Stir in other ingredients pour over pretzels in baking pan stir to coat evenly.. Bake at 250 degrees for 15 min. stir and bake an additional 15 min. cool.
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| New Restaurant in Ellendale |  |
By Kimberly VanBrunt, PostBulletin.com
Last week saw the opening of Grill, a new restaurant inside the Ellendale Municipal Liquor Store.
Residents have been looking forward to the new eatery for months, and it was truly a local effort.
Ellendale resident Gwen Reiss was hired by the city council to improve the store and get the Grill up and running.
Pete Paulson, another Ellendale resident, is the kitchen manager.
They're making an effort to keep the local flavor going with their food purchases, including supplies from Lerberg's Foods, Steve's Meat Market and Hope Butter, all in Ellendale.
The menu includes house specialty "choo choo fries," as well as fresh burgers, a fish sandwich with homemade tartar sauce, a Philly sandwich and fried dill pickles with their own signature dipping sauce. (I tried fried pickles for the first time last month, and I'm harboring a mad crush on them.)
The Grill at Ellendale Municipal Liquor Store serves food from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. It's at 217 Fifth Ave. W. Kids are allowed in the store during food service hours. |
| A Mouse Crawls from His Hole... |  | |
A mouse crawls from his hole at closing time, as the bartender is cleaning up.
The bartender doesn't notice as the rodent finds a puddle of Scotch on the floor and starts lapping it up.
Soon, the mouse jumps up on the bar and yells, "Now then,...where's that darn cat!?" |
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If you think the people you attract could be better, then it's time for you to improve yourself
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