The Retail Beat | May 13, 2013
news giving retailers an edge from the Minnesota Retailers Association
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MnRA created a sports memorabilia display last week at the State Capitol to help legislators
and the media get a feel for the hundreds of items that would be taxed under a related proposal.
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Retail Education | Workforce
Join MnRA May 22 For Practical Workplace Wellness Tips for Small Businesses.
Join the Minnesota Retailers Association for "Practical Workplace Wellness for Small Businesses" as part of our Your Dream Deserves A Plan series designed to fuel today's business.
This interactive workshop will leave you empowered with strategies, ideas, and tools essential to engaging your employees in simple wellness activities benefiting them and your business.
The seminar is filled with practical advice, not unreachable goals, and features:
Small Business Wellness Panel | Our wellness panel, moderated by Hopkins retailer Hillary Fed er ( Hillary's LLC) will share stories and practical "been there, done that" experiences you can draw on to assemble your own wellness program, tailored to your desired outcomes.
Panel members include:
- Barbara Ducharme, Community Health Director, American Heart Association
- Andy Smith, Workplace Wellness Director, Vital Verb
- Debbie Zwiefelhofer, President, Nutrition Affairs, LLC
Event Details:
Practical Workplace Wellness for Small Businesses
Hopkins Fire Station Conference Room
Wednesday, May 22, 2013; 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Investment:
No cost to attend; Non-members encouraged to attend.
RSVP:
Pre-registration preferred, but walk-ins welcome. Call (651) 227-6631 or register online now.
or call (651) 227-6631.
Agenda:
7:30 a.m. - registration and networking; 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. - program.
Thank you to our Your Dream Deserves A Plan series sponsors:
Boulay, Heutmaker, Zibell & Co. P.L.L.P.
Thrifty White Pharmacy
Grand Jete
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Retail Policy | Legislative Update
Final Week of Legislative Session: Crunch Time For Minimum Wage And Tax Bill
Each Friday during the legislative session, the Minnesota Retailers Association provides an update on the latest happenings at the State Capitol impacting retailers. - Passage of MnRA-supported H.F. 1284, a pre-pay preemption bill;- A positive U.S. Senate vote on the Marketplace Fairness Act; - NoClothingTax.com; - Minimum wage; - "Ban the Box"; and - Tobacco excise tax
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Retail Trends | Economy
Retail Sales Gain Shows Resilient American Consumer: Economy
 From Bloomberg, Shobhana Chandra, May 13, 2013
"Sales at U.S. retailers unexpectedly advanced in April, helping ease concern of a sustained pullback in consumer spending that would stifle the economy.
The 0.1 percent gain followed a 0.5 percent decrease in March, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey called for a 0.3 percent drop. Retail purchases climbed by the most in four months minus receipts from service stations, where cheaper gasoline prices depressed the dollar value of sales.
Lower fuel costs combined with rising stock and home values are boosting buying power, which will help underpin purchases as the labor market improves. Resilient sales indicate the effects on spending from a higher payroll tax will prove temporary, corroborating forecasts of a pickup in the economy after a second-quarter soft spot.
"Consumers are staying active and providing support to the economy," said Michael Moran, chief economist at Daiwa Capital Markets America Inc. in New York, who correctly forecast the increase in sales. "We will see a slowdown this quarter, but it won't be dramatic. There will be some damping of spending due to the payroll tax, but it will be mild."
Another report showed companies held inventories in check in March as sales cooled. Stockpiles were little changed for a second month, Commerce Department figures showed.
Stocks fluctuated after benchmark indexes climbed to records last week. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index rose 0.1 percent to 1,634.48 at 12:01 p.m. in New York."
Click here to read the full Bloomberg article here,
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Upcoming Event | MnRA Golf Outing
Register Today for MnRA's 15th Annual Legislative Wrap-Up Golf Event
 You made it through the holiday season, endured a long winter, filed your taxes, and the end of legislative session is in sight. Now it's time to look toward summer and the Minnesota Retailers Association 15th Annual Legislative Wrap Up Golf Tournament, Tuesday, June 4 at the award winning Legends Golf Club.
One tournament...five great reasons to play.
1. Golf an amazing course | MnRA brings this year's tournament to Legends Golf Club, named National Golf Club of the Year by the National Golf Course Owners Association.
2. Network with leading retailers | MnRA's tournament is a retail who's-who event. Rub elbows with the movers and shakers of Minnesota's retail community.
3. Wrap up the legislative session | Get a unique briefing on retail outcomes at the State Capitol this session and celebrate the adjourning of the Legislature.
4. Support MnRA and our political action | Proceeds from this event benefit MnRA's efforts to grow legislative appreciation for the importance of retail in our economy. Select activities benefit MnRA's political action committee-dedicated to supporting retail sensitive candidates running for elected office.
6. Be part of the tradition | This year's event marks our 15th annual tournament. Be part of an ongoing tradition.
Register By May 27.
Click here to learn more about the tournament and registration options or call MnRA today at (651) 227-6631.
Sponsorships available. Click here to see the options.
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MnRA's RetailPlus+ Buying Group
The Minnesota Retailers Association (MnRA) has brought together the collective clout of our members to offer increased savings on the products and services that retailers need. These affordable products and services help Minnesota retailers navigate the often complicated terrain of operating as a retailer.
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400 Robert Street North, St. Paul, MN 55101
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