November 2, 2015

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 MnRA Government Relations Director Brian Carr is pictured above (right) Friday following admission to the Minnesota State Bar. Congratulations to Brian on becoming a licensed Minnesota attorney!
Local Mandates
NRF's Retail Across America Crew Set To Visit A Dozen Minnesota Retailers This Week     
 
The Minnesota Retailers Association (MNRA) is pleased to welcome a half dozen videographers and communications professionals to the State this week as the next stop in the Retail Across America initiative.

The project--part of the National Retail Federation's (NRF) This Is Retail program--will examine Minnesota's unique retail industry and its importance to the economy in a video series to be released later this year.

"We are excited to welcome the NRF team to Minnesota this week. We'll be traveling across the State to showcase our unique and diverse retailers, amazing quality of life, and distinctive communities. NRF's investment in documenting Minnesota's interesting careers in retail as well as our locally made and sourced products is deeply appreciated," said MnRA president, Bruce Nustad.

Gift card giveaways all week

From Red Wing to Duluth, we'll be visiting a dozen retailers. Follow MnRA all week on any of these social media outlets for a chance to win a gift card from each stop:

Instagram: @mnretailers
Double your chance at winning by following us on our all-new Instagram feed.

Twitter: @MnRetailersAsso

Facebook: facebook.com/MNRetailersAssociaiton

 
Recycling
Commercial Recycling Mandate Kicks In January 1, 2016 In The Metro Area    
 
From the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, October 12, 2015

"By January 1, 2016, owners of commercial property in the seven-county metro area will need to make sure their buildings have recycling services along with garbage collection. The new law (Minn. Stat. 115A.151) applies to most commercial buildings that have service for 4 cubic yards (or more) of trash per week, and requires that a minimum of three material types be collected for recycling.

Even if the law does not apply to a particular commercial property, it is an opportunity for all businesses to increase their recycling. Unlike many other aspects of running a business where spending is examined regularly, businesses frequently set up their disposal services and then rarely think about it again. However, with a 17 percent state tax on garbage, and sometimes an even higher fee assessed by the local county, trashing recyclables can be expensive.

Minnesotans spend a good deal of money throwing away recyclable material every year, but they have great potential value to the economy - recycling directly and indirectly supports nearly 37,000 jobs, and the materials have a value of over $250 million. In addition, many businesses are finding it is good for business to recycle, as customers are more interested in knowing that the companies they support are committed to sustainable practices in their operations.

Implementing a successful recycling program can take some work, but many cities and counties offer assistance to business owners, sometimes in the form of financial support to set up new or improved collection systems. There are also several local resources for signage and training, including the Recycling Association of Minnesota and Rethink Recycling. All of these resources, and more, can be found on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Commercial Recycling page www.pca.state.mn.us/dyw6yry. Questions can also be directed to Emily Barker, [email protected] or (651) 757-2030." 
Better, Stronger, Faster Retail
This Friday...Crushin' It With Customers: Build Your Small Business Saturday, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday Digital Strategy 

You've heard the success stories some retailers and businesses have with Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and Black Friday sales. How do they do it? Given the profile of today's consumers, it all starts with having a solid digital and online strategy!

Crushin' It With Customers | Build Your Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday Digital Strategy Now 
Friday, November 6, 2015
8:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Boulay - Eden Prairie

This event is designed to help organizations develop their digital and online strategy surrounding the holiday sales season and beyond.

Offered in partnership with: 
  • Burnsville Chamber of Commerce
  • Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce
  • TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
  • Waconia Chamber of Commerce
  • Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce

 Free to attend.  Space limited to 50, so register now. 

 


How's Business?
MnRA's Retail Outlook Survey Tells The Real Story; Take The Survey Today

Last year 100 retailers across Minnesota gave us a good look at what they expected over the holiday season and into the new year. That perspective helped MnRA tell the story of retail to legislators and the media.

Help us tell retail's story again by completing our quick eight question Retail Outlook Survey.

 
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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]