The Retail Beat | May 20, 2013
news giving retailers an edge from the Minnesota Retailers Association
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Sen. Melisa Franzen signs the health and human services conference committee report Friday with
MnRA staff members Rochelle Westlund and Bruce Nustad in the background.
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2014 Session | Policy and Retail
Last Day Of The 2014 Legislative Session
 As of 10:00 a.m. today, only 14 hours remain in the 2013 legislative session. This morning around 2:30 a.m. the House passed the tax bill conference committee report. The Senate will take up that bill today. While MnRA is grateful the tax bill contains e-fairness, the upfront capital equipment exemption, and the June accelerated tax repeal, there are several provisions concerning to retailers including an excessively high tobacco excise tax. See Friday's Retail at the Capitol e-mail for a recap of tax bill issues, including the high tobacco tax.
The tax bill also contains a somewhat confusing storage and warehouse business-to-business tax. The conference committee adopted the provision from the Senate, but delayed its effective date to April, 2014, to allow for the provision to be looked at next session. In debate on the House floor last night, there was some confusion over items such as agriculture inputs and gasoline storage.
Another open issue for retailers is minimum wage. Mid-last week Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk commented that he thought it unlikely minimum wage would change this session, but on Friday indicated that there may be movement on changes before the mandated midnight adjournment. The minimum wage conference committee has a meeting scheduled for Monday at 10:00 a.m. Retailers are encouraged to continue contacting legislators about minimum wage.
If you have questions on any legislative issues impacting retail, contact MnRA's Rochelle Westlund at (651) 227-6631, or via e-mail at rochelle@mnretail.org.
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Retail Education | Workforce
Join MnRA Wednesday 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 Trends | Housing
How The Housing Industry Affects Retail Sales And The Economic Recovery
 From the National Retail Federation, May 16, 2013
"It's been an interesting spring already. Slow March retail sales gave way to improved April retail sales, no thanks to the weather - I'm sure those in Colorado understand this more than anyone. Weather aside, consumers once again showed their resiliency last month.
As we move forward into late spring and early summer, many experts will take a close look at other essential economic indicators as they relate to the strength of the consumer. It is not surprising that media headlines are locked in on what is happening in the housing market, especially with seasonal sales of lumber, garden equipment and building supplies all faring well last month, as they typically do this time each year.
Housing starts in March broke an annual pace of one million for the first time since the beginning of the recovery in June 2009. Truth be told, no other sector in the economy plays such a dominant role in business cycles. The relationship between housing and the economy is crucial in every economic recovery because they both depend on the strength of growth in employment and incomes. Slowdowns and slumps in housing tend to foreshadow declines in economic activity, while housing upturns tend to be a key factor in economic recoveries that often set the pace for broader economic growth."
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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.
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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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