May 26, 2014

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Through the sacrifices of so many, Minnesotans have so much. Today the Minnesota Retailers Association remembers those who have given their lives for our communities and families.
Gift Trends
Americans Spend $4.7 Billion On Graduation Gifts      

From the National Retail Federation, Kathy Grannis, May19, 2014

"Graduation season is upon us and young adults across the country are preparing for the next step in their life, be it a new job or a new school.  These same graduates are very likely already thinking of what to do with the graduation gifts heading their way.

While it's certainly not the biggest consumer spending season, the timeframe around graduation is still very big business for retailers large and small, and with more Millennials taking the stage these days, it should continue to grow. According to NRF's Graduation Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, the average person buying graduation gifts will spend $97.79, and will shop for approximately two graduates. Total spending on gift cards, electronic items, apparel and other items will total $4.7 billion, the highest amount in the survey's nine-year history."




16th Annual Event
Join Minnesota's Retail Leaders In Just 29 Days For MnRA's Annual Legislative Wrap-Up Golf Tournament  


You made it through the holiday season, endured a long winter, filed your taxes, and the legislative session has wrapped up. Now it's time to look toward summer and the Minnesota Retailers Association 16th Annual Legislative Wrap-Up Golf Tournament, Wednesday, June 25 at the award winning Legends Golf Club.

Quick links:

  >> Register or learn more.

  >> Learn about sponsorship options.  

 

Thank you sponsors: 

  • Target, Walgreens - gold sponsor
  • CVS Pharmacy, Weber Johnson  - silver sponsors
  • Cycle City - hole in one sponsor 
  • Holiday Companies, Thrifty White Pharmacy, Flint Hills Resources, Hillary's - hole sponsors
  • National Association of Chain Drug Stores - contributing sponsor
Register now!

Retail Economy
U.S. Retail Market Up Two Percent In First Quarter

From RetailCustomerExperience.com, May 21, 2014

 

"Recent reports from Capitol Hill suggest that the Senate is making progress on a bill to address our nation's pressing cyber security concerns.  Intelligence Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) have hammered out draft cybersecurity legislation, and are currently circulating it for comment from interested parties on and off the Hill.  The two senators have that their goal is a bill that "allows companies to monitor their computer networks for cyber-attacks, promotes sharing of cyber threat information and provides liability protection for companies who share that information."

   

While this legislation is still in the draft stage, and it is still too early to tell if the law will be enacted one thing is certain: America's cybersecurity challenges must be addressed immediately.  We must act now to protect our corporate, governmental and personal digital assets from all cyber threats, foreign and domestic."

 


The Unsession
What Happened At The Legislature This Year That Impacts Retailers?

MnRA is set to release its annual report of legislative session outcomes this week. Not a MnRA member but want to receive the report?  Contact us at (651) 227-6631!
Patent Trolls
This Is How The Patent Trolls And Trial Attorneys Won

From Time, Sam Gustin, May 24, 2014

 

"For over a year, intellectual property reform advocates and their allies in Congress have been trying to advance legislation designed to crack down on so-called patent trolls, which are firms that don't build products, but rather seek to extract license fees or legal judgments from other companies. Until recently, prospects for reform appeared good, as lawmakers honed legislation that would curb the worst kind of patent troll abuse.

But this week, the process ground to a halt, after Sen. Pat Leahy, the powerful Vermont Democrat who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, abruptly yanked the "Patent Transparency and Improvements Act" from the Senate agenda, effectively killing the bill for the foreseeable future.

Patent reform advocates reacted with dismay, but Sen. Leahy said he had no choice because lawmakers had been unable to bring the issue's various stakeholders together. "I have said all along that we needed broad bipartisan support to get a bill through the Senate," Sen. Leahy said in a statement. "Regrettably, competing companies on both sides of this issue refused to come to agreement on how to achieve that goal."

 


Member Service
MnRA's RetailPlus+ Buying Group

The Minnesota Retailers Association (MnRA) has leveraged the collective clout of our members to offer increased savings on the products and services essential to retailers. These vital products and services help Minnesota retailers navigate the often complicated terrain of operating as a retailer.

Thank you for your patience as we redesign the web presence of the RetailPlus+ Buying Group in the coming weeks.

Question on the program? Contact the MnRA staff at (651) 227-6631.

Bar code
Minnesota Retailers Association
400 Robert Street North, suite 1540
St. Paul, MN 55101
Tel. (651) 227-6631 - mnretail.org - [email protected]


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