February 23, 2015

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Retail Crime
FBI Agent And NRF Council Vice Chair To Brief Retailers On Important Crime Trends Friday

The criminals are creative.  From Facebook order-taking to sophisticated financial crimes, 2015 is shaping up to be another year where 9 out of ten Minnesota retailers are victims of organized retail crime.

This Friday, February 27, hear insights from top law enforcement and industry professionals about fraud and theft scams threatening business owners and challenging law enforcement.


Retail Fraud And Scams: 2015 Crime Update For Businesses And Law Enforcement
featuring FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jeffrey K. Van Nest,
with special guest Alan Tague, Gander Mountain Vice President of Loss Control & NRF Loss Prevention Advisory Council Vice Chair
Friday, February 27, 2015
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Doubletree Hotel by Hilton - St. Louis Park

Retailers, business representatives, and law enforcement welcome. Seating is limited to 100, so register soon.  Breakfast included with $25 registration. Members and non-members welcome.

Limited law enforcement event scholarships available thanks to event support from Pawn America.

Presenting
sponsor:
  

 


Shipping
Open for Business - Deal Reached in West Coast Port Dispute
 

From Retail Industry Leaders Association, February 20, 2015

 

"A Friday announcement that labor and management at America's West Coast ports had reached a tentative agreement on a new 5-year contract brought a sigh of relief from America's retailers that were being stretched to the limit as a work slowdown threatened vital transportation supply chains.

Retailers have warned for months that the impasse in negotiations was creating an economic challenge, and that a full-scale strike would negatively impact the entire American economy. Farmers and manufacturers were also reporting a heavy toll as agriculture exports suffered and part shortages were leading to factory slowdowns for some automakers.

"After months of congestion and the very real possibility of a debilitating shutdown, retailers are relieved to see a deal in place, and anxious to see the ports up and running at full capacity," said Kelly Kolb, vice president of government affairs for the Retail Industry Leaders Association. "It will take months for business to return to normal, but this is obviously a huge first step in the right direction."

While the new contract is a welcome relief, there are other underlying factors and infrastructure challenges that, together, create an unsustainable trajectory for the future operations of our nation's sea ports. In coming years, freight volumes are expected to double, and the pressure on our nation's ports and supply chain will only increase."

 


Am RETAIL Day At The Capitol
Retailers From Across The State To Meet Legislative Leaders March 19 


Your story meets your legislators at the Minnesota Retailers Association's I am RETAIL Day at the Capitol. Our half-day begins with a breakfast reception featuring legislative leaders at the Minnesota History Center followed by conversations with legislators at the State Capitol. 


With one in four jobs in Minnesota directly connected to retail, our elected officials now more than ever need to understand the impact of their decisions on retail businesses.

 

I Am RETAIL Day At The Capitol
Thursday, March 19
7:30 a.m. - noon 


No cost to attend. Continental breakfast served. RSVP requested by March 11. Non-members welcome.

  

Sponsors  

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Transportation:

Workplace  
New York Times Scheduling Article Mentions Minnesota

 

This weekend the New York Times published an article surrounding the employee schedules and intervals between shifts.  The article lists examples from several states, including Minnesota.

 

Minnesota House Minority Leader Paul Thissen is quoted in the article saying, "When it comes to scheduling, the playing field is tilted very dramatically in favor of the employer. What we're proposing is just trying to rebalance the playing field."

 


Delivery
FAA Rules Say No To Package Delivery Via Drone

 

From TheNextWeb.com, February 16, 2015      

 

"The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the country's Department of Transportation have unveiled proposed rules for drone flights. The plan [PDF] aims to maintain aviation safety standards, but will also make it difficult for companies hoping to use drones as couriers.

According to the proposal, unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55lb (25kg) would only be allowed to fly between sunrise and sunset. Operators would be required to keep drones within line of sight beneath 500 feet, and prohibited from dropping cargo."   

 




Retail Trends 
In-Store Shopping Experience Still Reigns Supreme

 

From Drug Store News, Michael Johnsen, February 9, 2015       

 

"Brick-and-mortar stores still serve as the primary shopping destination even in this age of omnichannel retailing, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers's latest annual consumer survey - Total Retail: Retailers and the Age of Disruption. The report found that the physical store remains the retail touchpoint with the highest frequency, driving retailers to transform in-store experiences with differentiated storefronts that turn stores into ultimate shopping destinations.
 
According to the survey, only 27% of U.S. consumers say they shop online weekly. Reserving the strength of the traditional store, 68% of U.S. respondents say they have intentionally browsed products at a store but decided to purchase them online, while 73% say they have browsed products online but decided to purchase them in-store. As manay as 65% of the respondents noted delivery fees as the reason for purchasing in-store, as well as having the item immediately (61%) and trying it on/seeing it (61%)."   

 


Credit and Debit Cards 
RILA Advocates For Chip And Pin


From Retail Industry Leaders Association, www.chipandpinsecuritynow.com 

 

Chip and PIN Security Now!

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.  

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