Each year, I attend an annual conference hosted by the Council of State Retail Associations (CSRA). CSRA’s membership consists of the various state retail associations throughout the country, such as the Florida Retail Federation, Illinois Retail Merchants Association, North Carolina Retail Merchants Association, and Ohio Council of Retail Merchants. Executives from each association gather to discuss industry trends and strategize about hot button legislative issues affecting the retail industry.
This year, the conference was in Minneapolis, and while onboard a Delta flight scrolling through the movie selections I came across a new offering. Delta now has a selection of MasterClass episodes within its entertainment platform. If you’re not already aware, MasterClass is subscription service that features learning tutorials from some of the world’s most recognizable artists, leaders, and icons. This particular flight happened to feature an episode with Howard Schultz, the founder of Starbucks.
One particularly interesting story he told was about Starbucks’ failure to successfully enter the Chinese market. After years of trying to bring coffee to a tea drinking society, he discovered the error. The expansion initiative was managed a world away by Seattle leadership that did not acutely understand the Chinese culture. Localized insight was necessary, and after some changes, expansion into the market took off.
Michigan Retailers Association is proud to be governed by a collection of retailers that understand the retail industry. At our August Board meeting, we elected two new directors that know what it’s like to open the door of their store each day and welcome their customers. Kendra Patterson, co-owner of Michigan Barn Wood and Salvage in Mason, and Raeann Rouse, owner of Bridge Street Baby in Rockford, join our team. They know retail, they know Michigan, and they will be excellent advocates for the retail industry.
Peter R. Sobelton Treasurer Mondial Properties, Birmingham
Bo Brines Past Chair Little Forks Outfitters, Midland Kim Edsenga Meijer, Inc., Grand Rapids
Becky Beauchine Kulka Past Chair
Becky Beauchine Kulka Diamonds and Fine Jewelry, Okemos
Dan Marshall Marshall Music Company, Lansing
Orin Mazzoni, Jr. Orin Jewelers, Northville
Thomas Ungrodt TDU Consulting, LLC, Ann Arbor
Larry Meyer Board Member Emeritus D. Larry Sherman Board Member Emeritus
Michigan Retailer (USPS 345-780, ISSN 08890439) is published six times annually: February, April, June, August, October, & December by Michigan Retailers Association. Average circulation: 4308. 603 South Washington Avenue Lansing, Michigan 48933
Periodical postage paid at Lansing, Michigan
Postmaster: Send address changes to 603 South Washington Ave., Lansing MI 48933.
This publiction may be recycled with white office paper.
With every issue, we reach retail owners, managers, and executives who make spending decisions for 15,000 stores and web sites across the state.
To request a media kit, email Rachel Schrauben at rschrauben@retailers.com
Bill Golden Chair Golden Shoes, Traverse City William J. Hallan President & CEO Michigan Retailers Association Bryan Neiman Vice Chair Neiman’s Family Market, St. Clair Joseph McCurry Credit Card Group Raeann Rouse Bridge Street Baby, Rockford William J. Hallan President & CEO Rachel Hurst Kroger Co. of Michigan, Novi John Leppink Leppink’s Food Centers, Belding Kendra Patterson Michigan Barn Wood & Salvage, Mason Joe Swanson Target, Retired William J. Hallan Publisher Andrea Bitely Editor Rachel Schrauben Copy Editor and Content Manager Josh Delany Design and Layout Shandra Martinez Contributor Steve Jessmore and Josh Delany PhotographersComplete the annual PCI Compliance Questionnaire
By: Shandra Martinez
A century of being Grand Rapids’ perfect fit
Add these key shopping dates to your holiday calendars
By: Rachel Schrauben
Start Q4 on a high note
12 Are Your Getting the Most out of your MRA Membership?
Ensure you’re getting everything you need
15 Meet the new MRA, MRS, and RIC Board Members Ford, Patterson, and Rouse were elected at the August Board Meeting
Prompt medical care is essential for a quicker return to work
From the CEO
Retailing as a collection of many
Legally Speaking Effective use of surcharging
Capitol Update
Friends of Retail Voting Guide
Creative Counsel
What social platforms are best for your business?
Milestone Members
From the Archives
New Members
RETAILERS.COM
RETAILERSINSURANCE.COM
BUYNEARBYMI.COM
Visit us online to see what’s new in the industry and what services we provide members to strengthen your business.
Jeff Joyce, co-owner of Mieras Family Shoes in Grand Rapids, celebrates becoming a Michigan Centennial Retailer.
Photo by Josh Delany
“The best sky was in Italy or Spain and in Northern Michigan in the fall” – Ernest Hemingway
The Michigan Primary election saw 2.1 million voters across the state of Michigan, and amongst the winners were 72 Friends of Retail.
“MRA’s Friends of Retail have demonstrated they will advance public policy benefitting Michigan’s retail sector and consumers across our state,” William J. Hallan, President and CEO of Michigan Retailers Association. “This
designation is a solid indicator that these candidates understand the hard work and challenges that our industry has experienced over the last several years, and that they will fight to help us recover from the pandemic and continue growing.”
Candidates were designated by MRA’s Legislative Committee and are based on an analysis of voting records and candidate
questionnaires. Current elected officials earning a Friend of Retail designation demonstrated through their votes on and sponsorship of key issues, while candidates earning a Friend of Retail designation demonstrated through their answers to critical policy questions that they understand the importance of the retail industry to Michigan’s economy.
A constitutional amendment to modify current term limits from 14 years to a combined 12 years and require financial disclosure from state-level elected officials.
Reduce term limits from 14 years to a combined 12 years. Michigan’s current legislative term limits permit three terms in the House of Representatives (6 Years) and two terms in the Senate (8 Years) for a total of 14 years. The proposed amendment, while reducing the total years of service to 12 years, would, unlike current limits, allow a member to serve the entire 12-year period in one legislative chamber. Beginning in 2024, annual financial disclosure reports would be required to be filed with and made public by the Michigan Department of State. This proposal would bring Michigan in line with 48 states and Congress that currently require disclosure.
Visit votersfortransparencyandtermlimits.com for more information on the proposal.
A constitutional amendment that seeks to make additional voting changes including:
• Nine days of “early in-person voting”
• Pre-paid postage for absentee ballot returns
• Creation of an absentee ballot tracking system
• Counting of ballots postmarked by election day if received within six days after the election
• Creation of a permanent absentee ballot voting list
• Accepting charitable donations and in-kind contributions to administer elections
• Prohibit political parties or precinct delegates from auditing or supervising elections
• Allow voters to sign an affidavit of identity rather than showing identification
• Require secure drop boxes for absentee ballots be accessible 24 hours a day for 40 days
Visit promotethevote2022.com for more information on the proposal.
A constitutional amendment on reproductive decisions including making abortion legal up until the point of fetal viability.
Visit mireproductivefreedom.org for more information on the proposal.
State Senate
District 37 John Damoose (Republican)
District 38 Ed McBroom (Republican)
District 108 Dave Prestin (Republican)
District 110 Greg Markkanen (Republican)
District 18 Thomas Albert (Republican)
District 20 Aric Nesbitt (Republican)
District 29 Tommy Brann (Republican)
District 30 Mark Huizenga (Republican)
District 31 Roger Victory (Republican)
District 32 Jon Bumstead (Republican)
District 33 Rick Outman (Republican)
District 37 Brad Paquette (Republican)
District 38 Kevin Whiteford (Republican)
District 39 Pauline Wendzel (Republican)
District 42 Matt Hall (Republican)
District 45 Sarah Lightner (Republican)
District 81 Lynn Afendoulis (Republican)
District 84 Mike Milanowski Jr. (Republican)
District 85 Bradley Slagh (Republican)
District 87 Will Snyder (Democrat)
District 88 Greg VanWoerkom (Republican)
District 89 Luke Meerman (Republican)
District 90 Bryan Posthumus (Republican)
District 91 Pat Outman (Republican)
District 102 Curt VanderWall (Republican)
District 16 Joseph Bellino Jr. (Republican)
District 18 Thomas Albert (Republican)
District 21 Sarah Anthony (Democrat)
District 22 Lana Theis (Republican)
District 28 Daylen Howard (Republican)
District 33 Rick Outman (Republican)
District 34 Roger Hauck (Republican)
District 35 Annette Glenn (Republican)
District 35 Andrew Fink (Republican)
District 45 Sarah Lightner (Republican)
District 46 Kathy Schmaltz (Republican)
District 76 Angela Witwer (Democrat)
District 91 Pat Outman (Republican)
District 93 Graham Filler (Republican)
District 95 Bill G. Schuette (Republican)
District 100 Tom Kunse (Republican)
District 32 Jon Bumstead (Republican)
District 33 Rick Outman (Republican)
District 34 Roger Hauck (Republican)
District 36 Michele Hoitenga (Republican)
District 95 Bill G. Schuette (Republican)
District 99 Mike Hoadley (Republican)
District 100 Tom Kunse (Republican)
District 102 Curt VanderWall (Republican)
District 103 Jack O’Malley (Republican)
District 104 John Roth (Republican)
District 105 Ken Borton (Republican)
District 1 Erika Geiss (Democrat)
District 7 Jeremy Moss (Democrat)
District 9 Michael Webber (Republican)
District 11 Michael MacDonald (Republican)
District 12 Kevin Hertel (Democrat)
District 12 Pamela Hornberger (Republican)
District 16 Joseph Bellino Jr. (Republican)
District 22 Lana Theis (Republican)
District 23 Jim Runestad (Republican)
District 24 Ruth Johnson (Republican)
District 25 Dan Lauwers (Republican)
District 12 Kevin Hertel (Democrat)
District 12 Pamela Hornberger (Republican)
District 22 Lana Theis (Republican)
District 24 Ruth Johnson (Republican)
District 25 Dan Lauwers (Republican)
District 26 Kevin Daley (Republican)
District 34 Roger Hauck (Republican)
District 35 Annette Glenn (Republican)
District 36 Michele Hoitenga (Republican)
District 63 Jay DeBoyer (Republican)
District 64 Andrew Beeler (Republican)
District 67 Phil Green (Republican)
District 68 David Martin (Republican)
District 72 Mike Mueller (Republican)
District 93 Graham Filler (Republican)
District 96 Timothy Beson (Republican)
District 97 Paul Whitney (Democrat)
District 99 Mike Hoadley (Republican)
District 4 Karen Whitsett (Democrat)
District 10 Joe Tate (Democrat)
District 19 Samantha Steckloff (Democrat)
District 21 David Staudt (Republican)
District 30 William Bruck (Republican)
District 34 Dale Zorn (Republican)
District 35 Andrew Fink (Republican)
District 46 Kathy Schmaltz (Republican)
District 49 Ann Bollin (Republican)
District 50 Bob Bezotte Jr. (Republican)
District 55 Mark Tisdel (Republican)
District 56 Mark Gunn (Republican)
District 57 Thomas E. Kuhn (Republican)
District 58 Nate Shannon (Democrat)
District 60 Joseph Aragona (Republican)
District 63 Jay DeBoyer (Republican)
District 72 Mike Mueller (Republican)
Credit card processing is one of many valuable services offered by Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) and its affiliated entities. In September 2020, MRA added surcharging as a processing service offering. The surcharging program is designed to allow a fee that merchants can charge to cover their credit card processing costs. We have discovered that some merchants love surcharging and view it as an effective cost recoupment strategy, while others worry that it will only drive customers away. Depending on your business, either of these answers may be correct.
Regardless of whether surcharging is right for you, it is legal in most states. Michigan has no law prohibiting surcharging, but there are some requirements you should be aware of. First, you need to review the specific terms of your merchant processing contracts and the amounts that may be charged. You cannot yield a profit from surcharging and in no circumstance can you charge more than 4 percent. Surcharging is only permitted for the purpose of covering the cost associated with the transaction. Second, surcharging is only permissible for credit card charges. Debit surcharging is not permissible. Third, you must make your customers aware that you surcharge. Brick and mortar sellers must post a notice, while online sellers must have a disclosure where credit cards are first referenced on their website.
From a practical perspective, you need to consider how your customers will respond to the implementation of surcharging and what impact it will have on your business. If you are selling relatively inexpensive merchandise, the impact on the customer will likely be minimal. If you sell high dollar merchandise, perhaps your customer will seek out savings from a merchant who charges the same price but does not surcharge. You should also evaluate your willingness to accept other forms of payment, like cash and checks. Credit cards are generally more convenient than other forms of payment. With the implementation of surcharging, non-credit card transactions are likely to increase.
While surcharging is not for every business, many can realize a significant benefit. If you would like more information or a cost savings analysis, please contact our sales department at 800.366.3699 or at sales@retailers.com
Social media can be a powerful tool to grow your business, but with great power comes the great responsibility to keep up the posting, commenting, and replying.
How do you decide which platforms to use and how much time to dedicate to growing and maintaining these accounts? Here are a few questions to think about as you determine which platforms are best for you.
1. Who are your customers?
2. How well do you understand the platforms you are using?
3. Do you have a team member that can help?
The Pew Foundation tracks the use of online platforms and apps by American adults. Their research found that adults from the ages of 18-29 are most likely to use Instagram, while those over 30 are more likely to use Facebook. Reddit tends to be a male-dominated space. Amongst teens, TikTok is the top online platform, with the share of teens using Facebook on the decline. Google is a platform used by all, between AdWords and YouTube, a majority of Americans come in contact with Google’s platform on a daily basis.
To get in front of your customers on social media, you may have to consider paid advertising. To do this effectively, spend time learning about how you go about advertising on each platform. Facebook (also the owner of Instagram) and Google offer in-depth, easy-tounderstand guides on how to use their platforms.
It’s important to be where your customers are (most are looking at your posts on their smartphones) and to create posts that are easy to understand and look good on these screens. It’s also okay to not be on a platform, or to make the decision to close an account that you don’t have time to update. Set your priority account and run with it.
With these questions in front of you, it’s time to make a decision: Which platforms will you pick?
Need help making that decision? My email is always open: abitely@retailers.com.
Meta
THOMAS CLEMENT MRA Vice President, Operations and General Counsel
Businesses are assigned to a level based on their combined transaction volume including credit, debit, and pre-paid cards over a 12-month period. The four levels (from fewest to most transactions) and their requirements are:
auditor, Level 1 companies may also be required to undergo quarterly PCI scans.
What is PCI Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ)?
A validation tool intended to assist businesses to self-evaluate their PCI DSS compliance.
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) encompasses a set of requirements established to ensure that all businesses who process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure transaction environment.
PCI DSS compliance protects both the business and their customers. Businesses that are not PCI DSS compliant are at greater risk for security breaches and are subject to heavy penalties.
Which credit cards are covered by PCI DSS Compliance?
Credit cards covered include any debit, credit or pre-paid cards branded with the association or brand logos of the five major payment card brands: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and JCB International.
LEVEL 4: Small businesses that process less than 20,000 eCommerce transactions and less than 1 million other transactions annually. Level 4 businesses must complete an annual risk assessment using the appropriate PCI Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). Quarterly PCI scans may also be required.
LEVEL 3: Mid-sized businesses — those with between 20,000 and 1 million transactions annually fall into this level. Level 3 businesses must complete an annual risk assessment using the appropriate PCI Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). Quarterly PCI scans may also be required.
LEVEL 2: Level 2 businesses conduct between 1 million and 6 million transactions yearly. Level 2 businesses must complete an annual risk assessment using the appropriate PCI Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). Quarterly PCI scans may also be required.
LEVEL 1: “Big box” stores and major corporations are Level 1 companies, which are defined as having a minimum of 6 million transactions per year. In addition to an annual internal audit conducted by a qualified PCI
How often does a business need to complete the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ)?
All businesses must complete an annual SAQ. The business will receive an email from TSYS/Sysnet Global Solutions or Merchant Protection Program stating the PCI DSS validation will expire soon. The email will provide a link to the compliance website.
What is a PCI Scan?
A quarterly test of system components, processes, and custom software to ensure security controls.
How will a business know if they need to complete a quarterly PCI scan?
The business will receive an email from TSYS/Sysnet Global Solutions or Merchant Protection Program informing you of an upcoming PCI DSS scan. The email will provide a link to the scan dashboard.
If you have any questions regarding PCI compliance or your compliance status, contact the compliance support team at 800.571.3928.
Visit bit.ly/SysnetSteps for a Step-by-step user guide.
Reach Customer Service at 800.563.5981, option 2.
• If you receive a gratuity greater than 20% of the original sale amount, and the customer is paying by credit card, the recommendation is to process a separate sale for the gratuity. Obtain signatures on both credit card receipts.
• If you process online payments, please verify CAPTCHA and fraud controls are enabled on your website.
• A minimum transaction amount or a surcharge amount cannot be imposed on debit, prepaid, or gift card transactions.
• Partial Authorization may be enabled on your terminal. If the credit card receipt displays “Amount Due” you must collect the remaining balance by another form of payment.
• Reconcile your processing statement with your daily settlement report and your
bank statement. Contact customer service if you have any discrepancies.
• We suggest processing a reversal instead of a void. The cardholder will see the pending reversal on their account immediately, however a void can take up to 10 business days. In addition, you cannot void a pin debit transaction.
If you receive a request to wire money or to ship merchandise out of the country, please call customer service to discuss before processing the transaction.
Terminal functions that assist with fraud control:
• Process with a Chip card enabled device
• Address Verification (AVS) requires the street number or zip code. If it doesn’t match
the credit card, you will receive a No Match response and have the option to cancel the transaction
• Security Code Verification (CVV) requires the 3-digit code on the back of the credit card, or the 4-digit code on the front of a American Express credit card. If it doesn’t match the credit card, you will receive a No Match response and have the option to cancel the transaction
• Password Protection requires a password for all returns, reversals, force capture, reports, etc.
• Verify the credit card receipt to make sure the customer name and credit card number on the credit card are identical to the printed credit card receipt
• If you suspect a fraudulent transaction, call 800.563.5981, option 4 and say “CODE 10”
If not, you might be at a higher risk for security breaches and/or subject to fines.
Neil Mieras took over his parents’ shoe business on Oct. 16, 1929, a day after his father, John, suffered a debilitating stroke and a week before the Wall Street crash, triggering the beginning of the Great Depression that lasted more than a decade.
He was 19.
Mieras kept the family business alive during the 12 years of the devastating economic downturn by taking care of customers.
“They sold shoes for a quarter a pair, and most of their sales went on house charge so people could pay when they could, because, of course, food came first,” said Jeff Joyce, the grandson of Neil Mieras and the business’ current president and co-owner.
That customer base has remained loyal. Many of the store’s current customers are grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those first customers. As Mieras celebrates its centennial, the family business’ original store, at 841 Leonard St. NW on Grand Rapids’ West Side, has become an institution. One reason for its survival is how the business has adapted to meet the needs of its growing customer base.
Rooted in history, but still evolving
What began as a small shoe repair business
has evolved into West Michigan’s largest family shoe and work shoe retailer. Over the decades, the Mieras family has remained committed to providing customers with quality, comfortable shoes at competitive prices. The retailer still offers professional fitting at three locations and more than 50 brands for the entire family, with extreme sizes and widths at no additional charge.
“We had to be fluid and pivot when needed,” said Joyce, noting the business discontinued its shoe repair service a few years ago. “We sell more work boots and connect with industry and major manufacturers all across West Michigan. That gives us extra volume to carry more family styles and fun things that other smaller stores can’t carry.”
The retailer sells steel-toe work boots to major manufacturers, such as furniture, pharmaceutical and automotive suppliers.
Neil began selling work boots to Steelcase and General Motors, and Joyce’s parents, Mike and Sue, built on that relationship by developing a direct order catalog for employers. Joyce started using trucks as mobile stores to take the best styles of safety boots from 25 quality brands to manufacturing plants across West Michigan. In addition to four mobile stores, the Mieras name graces two in-plant stores in major manufacturers, and second and third brick-and-mortar locations, at 409 44th St.
As Mieras celebrates its centennial, the family business’ original store on Grand Rapids’ West Side has become an institution. One reason for its survival is the way it adapted to meet the needs of its customers.
SW in Wyoming and 3130 Plainfield Ave. NE in Grand Rapids.
Mieras continues to emphasize serving its youngest customers. Employees are trained to properly measure children’s feet to make sure shoes fit properly.
“Most other stores have given up on children’s shoes because it’s not a very lucrative business,” Joyce said. “But we feel that it’s important and true to our heritage. It also brings the young families in, and then the mom and dad see that we have good hiking boots from Merrell or Keen, great running shoes from Brooks, New Balance and Hoka, and then we become the family’s one-stop shopping because we try to have something for everybody.”
Mieras benefits from being in the backyard of Rockford-based shoe company Wolverine Worldwide and carries many of its brands, from Merrell to Sperry.
“When they launched their work shoe division, we were in from the very beginning and on product review. We were one of the first stores in the country to get the Merrell work product that was specifically designed with safety toes for work,” Joyce said.
Mieras will celebrate the business’ centennial with advertising and promotions, as well as some product giveaways.
Looking to the future, Mieras is committed to expanding its work boot connections to industries, which strengthens its walk-in business because it can afford to carry more inventory, more styles, more brands, and more selection.
Joyce credits the store’s longevity to the support it has received from the Michigan Retailers Association over the decades. Joyce has been an active board member and is currently serving as past chair on the Retailers Insurance Company board.
“It’s helped us from the start with the workers’ comp insurance. A lot of these small businesses don’t have a lot of buying power, but collectively, the Michigan Retailer Association can help,” said Joyce. “MRA expanded to help with credit card processing, point-of-sale systems, and full lines of insurance.”
Aside from the cost savings, MRA’s advocacy has been crucial.
“It’s also been a voice for retailers in the Michigan Legislature by lobbying for the retailer’s rights,” Joyce said.
He also thinks Mieras was blessed to start off on Grand Rapids’ West Side. The workingclass neighborhoods there have been extremely loyal. Many of its neighbors are multi-generational, family-owned businesses and have supported each other. In recent years, the neighborhood has undergone a building boom as developers have discovered the potential of the corridor that brings people into and out of Grand Rapids.
“We have a great district for food and shopping. It definitely brought in new customers each year,” Joyce said.
The shoe store has been in the neighborhood for more than a century. It was a shoe store when John Mieras bought it in 1922. He and his wife, Flora, lived in residential quarters attached to the back. Being on-site around the clock made it easier for customers to find them during off hours when an emergency shoe repair was needed. But the couple also couldn’t afford to buy a house and a business, so living in the business was a necessity.
Joyce remembers working with his grandfather, Neil, as a teen. He learned from his grandfather how to take care of customers so they came back.
In time, Mike Joyce’s grandparents settled on Fremont Street — across the street from the shoe store. He met his future wife, Neil’s daughter, Sue, while shopping at the store. Together, they became the third generation to run the store.
“He was just the kindest man, and customeroriented,” Joyce said of his grandfather. “He
would rather be on the sales floor than in the office doing paperwork. He was a real people person. We worked together for a few years. People just showed up to chat and have coffee. It was like an extended family.”
Longtime customer Buss Kunst, 80, was brought to the store as a youngster to buy his shoes. Later, he brought in his four sons, and now, one of his sons brings in his children. The store even featured a photo of four generations of Kunsts — including Buss’ father — 25 years ago in the business’ 75thanniversary flyer.
Kunst remembers the original location as an old, rickety store cluttered with shoes until Neil’s son-in-law, Mike Joyce, brought order to the business and gave the shop an update.
“There were shoes everywhere. Neil always knew everything about every shoe, so it was really interesting because he had a handle on it all. It was a really unique store back then,” Kunst said.
“He always had that little special discount for you. He would always give your first shoes free to get you to come back and back.”
Joyce’s dad, Mike, and wife Sue, one of Neil’s two daughters, took over the store when Mieras retired. He died in 1990.
Now, Jeff Joyce is training his son, Tyler, 29, to do the same.
Tyler says he was never pressured to join the business, but he always felt there was something special about being part of the family legacy.
“It’s just a really cool opportunity. How many people can say that they’re working at a
100-year-old business that their great-greatgrandfather started?” he said. “There’s a lot of pride in the fact that the spot that I’m sitting in is the exact same place my great-greatgrandfather sold and fixed shoes. There are very few businesses like ours that have been successfully handed down from generation to generation.”
“There’s a lot of pride in the fact that the spot that I’m sitting in is the exact same place my great-great-grandfather sold and fixed shoes.”-Tyler Joyce Third, fourth, and fifth generation family members working together. (L-R) Mike and Sue (Mieras) Joyce, Jeff and Doreen Joyce, and Tyler Joyce
BY: RACHEL SCHRAUBEN
As the temperature falls, along with the leaves, and pumpkin spice lattes are sipped, it’s easy to get excited about the return of fall.
As store owners, this time is crucial to prepare for the holiday rush and to start out Q4 on a high note. It’s also ample time to clear inventory before stocking shelves with holiday gifts and décor.
To help get you feeling festive, we’ve compiled a list of 10 Fall-inspired promotions to get shoppers inside your doors.
1) Include a piece of candy with every purchase. Satisfy their sweet tooth and have them come back for more.
2) Plan an employee pumpkin decorating contest and have customers vote on their favorites (also a great option for decorating the store!)
3) If you have extra space, create the perfect Instagram-inspired backdrop. With the use of props and product placement, your store name could be front and center. Hello, free publicity!
4) Celebrate our civic duty and give shoppers a small discount with proof of “I voted!” sticker!
5) Honor our vets with a special gift. Provide a percentage off or a coupon for their next visit.
6) As hunters head into the woods, it’s time for the deer widows to find all the deals at local stores! Opening Day 2022 falls mid-week, giving store owners twice the weekends to host events. Host a Ladies Day/Night Out and let them leave the kiddos at home (supervised, of course). Take notice, the early holiday shoppers will be out in heaps.
7) Football is on everyone’s mind and using Friday nights under the lights as a reason to push merchandise might be key on Weekend eve. Don’t dismiss Saturday afternoons or #SundayFundays as a chance to discount shoppers who purchase something while wearing their favorite players’ jerseys.
8) Temperatures are falling. Warm up your customers with a complimentary coffee, hot chocolate, or cider. Heat apple cider on low and slow heat in a crockpot makes for a delicious treat and it will make your store smell amazing!
9) Celebrate the nature-loving leaf peepers this fall! Peak peeping season varies by geographic location. It’s predicted that peak season will start at the top of the Upper Peninsula in the first week of October and will hit the Michigan/Indiana and Michigan/Ohio state lines more toward Oct. 25 and 29. Rally your neighbor stores and create a quick scavenger hunt.
10) Tell your customers how you really feel. Include a short, handwriting note or card with each purchase. This simple act will keep shoppers coming for years to come!
Enjoy this season before the busy holidays, because the faint ringing of jingle bells can already be heard in the distance.
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Your dependents and employees are eligible to apply for the $3,500 awards. Learn more:
Awesome! The 2023 application period begins Jan 1!
Good, because we already do that.
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Too bad! We’re here to fight against harmful retail legislation. Learn more: Join our distribution list. Email mra@retailers.com.
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Do you receive and read the MRA emails?
Do you ship or mail materials?
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Save this link for later. They do great work!
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Have you considered contracting a professional video company to highlight your business?
We can get you onefor FREE! Visit shop.retailers.com.
Love to hear it! With your membership, you can get a 5% discount through Cold Box Films. Good work. But note that changes occur often. If you think yours may be old, call us!
That’s great! We offer health, dental, vision, and life and disability insurance for small and large groups.
We still might be able to help. Email Ally Nemetz , MRA’s Director of Customer Service and Data Administration.
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That’s fine. Come to us, if you change your mind!
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BY: DAVE KELLY, CTO - SENSCY
There are no magic bullets. Cybersecurity is a business risk that needs to be managed and included in your strategic planning. As with any other business risk, cybersecurity should be visible at the top of the organization.
Recommendation: Make cybersecurity risk a standing agenda item at quarterly board meetings and executive leadership meetings.
80%+ of successful cyber breaches are the result of social engineering. Your employees are your greatest risk, but they can be your first line of defense with ongoing education.
Recommendation: Invest in your employees by educating them on how to recognize these attacks.
Visibility at the top + education throughout your organization = an active cybersecurity culture. An active cybersecurity culture is better protected from an incident, better prepared to respond to an incident, and able to recover and stay in business, should an incident occur.
Recommendation: Ensure you have a Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan. Make sure the leadership team and the IT team understand it, know how to activate it, and have practiced doing so.
Security patches cannot be ignored. They are released because a vulnerability has been identified. Every day you wait to install them puts you at greater risk.
Recommendation: Institute a policy that ensures security patches are installed within 24 hours of release. Ensure your team is accountable for doing so.
Backing up your data is critical to ensuring you don’t fall victim to Ransomware.
Recommendation: A successful recovery from a Ransomware incident requires that your data is backed up on a separate network or in a cloud service designed for this purpose. Back up your data daily!
Cybersecurity is a team sport. Every level of the organization has a role to play in ensuring we are protected and prepared.
If you want help improving your cybersecurity posture and creating an active cybersecurity culture that is better protected, better prepared, and able to respond to an incident, reach out to SensCy. We are here to be your trusted guide.
I hope this information sets you on a path to improved cyberhealth.
This past August was the annual meeting for MRA, MRS and RIC, with each entity holding Board of Directors elections. We are pleased to introduce our new board members and provide a brief biography of each.
Bill Golden will lead the MRA Board as Chair. Golden is copresident of Golden Shoes, a family owned and operated shoe store in downtown Traverse City since 1954, and which succeeded a shoe retailer dating back to 1883. A Traverse City native, he began working in the store at age 14 and joined the store full-time in 1981. Golden Shoes was honored as Michigan Retailer of the Year in 2005 in the small retail category. Golden was first elected to the Michigan Retailers Services, Inc. board in 2012, and joined the MRA board in 2018. He will serve a twoyear term.
Bryan Neiman was elected as Vice Chair of the MRA board. Neiman is President and CEO of Neiman’s Family Market, with three locations in Tawas, St. Clair and Clarkston. His parents, Hal and Jean Neiman, founded the company in 1983 by opening an Alpena IGA store, which later became Neiman’s Family Market. Joining his family’s business in 2007 as a Store Director. Neiman joined the board in January 2018 as the Michigan Grocers Association division representative. He will serve a two-year term.
Kendra Patterson joins the MRS board as director. Patterson, along with her husband, own Michigan Barn Wood and Salvage, a home décor, furniture, and reclaimed barn wood lumberyard. The business began in 2015 and relocated to a historic lumberyard in Mason in 2017.
Joining the MRA Board as director is Raeann Rouse, owner of Bridge Street Baby, a newborn to 24-month clothing, gifts, accessories and decor store, located in Rockford. Rouse grew up in the retail world; her parents both owned retail stores in Rockford. Rouse opened Bridge Street Baby in 2017.
Larry Meyer, director on the MRA board, and former President and CEO of MRA was named Board Member Emeritus.
David Ford was newly elected to serve on the RIC board. Ford has been with the Ford Insurance Agency since 1985, and took over as the Agency’s president in 2001. Ford takes pride in the industry and has been very involved in various industry organizations, such as the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA). He will serve as director.
Continuing to serve as RIC Board Chair is Jean Sarasin. Sarasin is retired executive vice president and chief operating officer of Michigan Retailers Association and Retailers Insurance Company, and has served on the RIC board since 1997. Sarasin was elected as chair in 2020.
Raeann Rouse Bridge Street Baby, Rockford Kendra Patterson Michigan Barn Wood & Salvage, Mason David Ford Ford Insurance Agency, Traverse CityMason
VALOR League Chapter 13901, Algonac Canna Personnel LLC, Allen Park
Rendel Upholstering & Interiors LLC, Ann Arbor
Plainview Adult Care II LLC, Auburn Minuteman Metal Works Inc., Bad Axe Link Tech Inc., Bangor
Cure of the Earth LLC, Bangor Sammy’s Sunrise Cafe, Battle Creek Super Construction LLC, Bay City
Meyer Glasswerks Inc. dba Lake Street Market, Boyne City Green Door Burr Oak, Burr Oak
Third Coast Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Byron Center Meauwataka General Store, Cadillac
Another Vape Shop LLC, Cadillac Medema Endodontics, Caledonia
Kazz Bar & Grill, Casnovia
Popa Construction LLC, Cedar Meyer Hydraulics Inc., Centerville
Bigtime Market LLC, Clinton Township
Prime 7 Bar & Restaurant, Commerce Township
Discount Smoking Products Inc., Commerce Twp Alpine Family Eyecare, Comstock Park
ALJ Group LLC, Davison
Atoneta Preni dba D Motown Deli, Detroit
Tony V’s Tavern LLC, Detroit
La Fiesta Supermarket, Detroit
Albano Coney Island LLC, Detroit
Chrisray LLC dba King of Budz Provisioning, Detroit Bagley Street Eats Inc., Detroit
DD & GD Investments LLC dba Galaxy Coney Island, Detroit
Dimondale Elementary PTO, Dimondale North Dorr General Store, Dorr Nelles Studios, Elk Rapids
Diversified Electric LLC, Ferndale Papa’s Drive Thru #5 LLC, Flint
Superior Forestry & Land Mgt LLC, Gaylord Carter & Carter Convenience LLC, Gladstone Northwoods Retail LLC, Glen Arbor
Your Care Home Care LLC, Grand Haven
Spectrum Net Designs Inc., Grand Rapids
Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, Grand Rapids
Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association, Grosse Pointe Farms
Sahouriyeh Oil Corp., Hazel Park
Mr. You Chinese Food North LLC, Holland
Uncle Jibs LLC, Holland
Taco Fiesta Inc., Holland
Menno Travel, Indiana
Iron Mountain Public Schools, Iron Mountain
McGowan Electric Supply Inc., Jackson
Totally Brewed Cafe LLC, Kalamazoo Makpar Foods Inc., Kalamazoo
Midwest Chimney & Roof Inspection, Kalamazoo
Great Lakes Kush LLC, Lansing
Michigan Association of Insurance Agents, Lansing
Livonia Liquor Shop Inc., Livonia
Riverside Motel & Marina, Manistee
Maple Valley nursing Home of Maple City, Maple City Lakeshore Depot L3C, Marquette
North Coast Cultivators LLC, Marquette
MQT Nutrition LLC, Marquette
Kincaid Properties Inc., Melvindale
Grey Heron Grill & Spirits LLC, Monroe
Deerfield AFC Inc., Mount Pleasant
POT #118 dba Blood’s Front End Clinic, Muskegon Jay & Jan Inc. dba Herbie’s Cafe, Muskegon
Third Coast Produce LLC, New Baltimore
Mission Hills Memorial Gardens Inc., Niles Wireless Solutions Center Inc., Oak Park
Renaissance Roofing Inc., Plymouth Natures Vision Inc., Portage Wyman’s Cafe, Portage Ly Wireless, Redford Reed City Fields Assisted Living LLC, Reed City Richland Splash-N-Dash, Richland Jefferson Gas & Go LLC, River Rouge Cinderella Jewelers II, Rochester Antonio’s Cafe Inc., Rochester Orion Abbey LLC, Rochester Chippewa Stone & Gravel Inc., Rodney Comet Burger LLC, Royal Oak Endocrinology and Weight Loss Ctr PLLC, Saginaw Swan Valley School District, Saginaw Great Lakes Rehab Center, Saginaw Dynamic Staffing LLC, Saginaw Thurston Outdoors LLC, Saint Charles Sanilac Oil & Tire, Sandusky Sanford Food Store Inc., Sanford Jose’s Mexican Restaurant, Sault Sainte Marie Duggan Manufacturing LLC, Shelby Twp Cunningham’s Craft Cannabis LLC, Springfield Anton Gjonaj dba Anton Painting, Sterling Heights International Foods Inc., Sterling Heights H & H Signs LLC, Tecumseh Piche & Olson PLC, Traverse City
Traverse City Orthodontics PLLC, Traverse City Hilbert’s Honey Co., Traverse City
Wilson’s Meats LLC, Traverse City LR Ent LLC dba Simons Rivertown Tavern, Trenton Alia’s Brothers Painting, Troy JDK Developments LLC, Troy Lisa M Laing LLC, Troy Union City Productions LLC, Union City George Gegaj, Washington TJ Sales & Service LLC, Wayland Ultimate Casting and Machine LLC, West Branch Lucynski Cinemas LLC, West Branch Paul’s Skate Place LLC, West Branch Redeemer Christian School, Zeeland
April 2002 / Vol. 27 / No. 3
Every now and then, we stumble upon gems from our archives.
Twenty years ago, Jeff Joyce and his sister, Shari Welch, were featured in our Michigan Retailer magazine.
With Jeff’s son, Tyler, now working in the store, the shoes have now fit for five Mieras generations.
As your workers’ compensation provider, Retailers Insurance Company is committed to helping you get care for your employees while controlling your costs. To do that, we urge you to maintain a safety focused environment and report claims immediately after the accident. Prompt medical care is essential for the workers’ return to health and the workplace which will, in turn, result in fewer benefits having to be paid under the insured’s policy.
When a worker is injured on the job, the sooner a claim is reported, the better. Wage loss benefits start after 7 days and are retroactive to the date of injury if a worker is out for 14 days or longer. When an injury happens, follow this check-list to be ready to file the claim:
Business name
Physical address, phone number
Business name
Physical address, phone number
Name, home address, date of birth, marital status, gender
Title, status, hire/fire date, wage and hours
Name, title, phone
Whether or not they support the validity of the claim
Time, date, location
Short narrative about the situation
Hospital and/or doctor’s office name, address, phone number
Name, address, phone number
First and last day worked
Number of hours lost
Name, phone, email
Photos
Police or hospital records
Legal paperwork
Phone: 517.372.5656 or 800.366.3699 Fax: 517.372.1303
