Members converse with Rep. Jim Nash and Rep. Tony Albright at last month's Retail+Policy Legislator Meet and Greet Dinner.
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Minnesota Retailers Association Joins Campaign Against Tariffs
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From the Pioneer Press, Fred Melo, August 31, 2018
The Minnesota Retailers Association is among dozens of trade associations across the U.S. that have signed onto the newly-formed Americans for Free Trade, a diverse array of business groups that are opposed to current and contemplated trade tariffs directed by President Donald Trump.
On Wednesday a coalition of 86 trade groups announced the formation of Americans for Free Trade with a letter to members of Congress: “We are a growing coalition representing U.S. manufacturers, farmers and agribusinesses, retailers, technology companies, service suppliers, natural gas and oil companies, importers, exporters, and other supply chain stakeholders, who are united in their concern about the negative impacts that the new tariffs are and will continue to have on U.S. businesses, workers and consumers.”
The newly formed group is joining with another organization, Farmers for Free Trade, to back the “Tariffs Hurt the Heartland” campaign, an effort to call attention to the issue. Plans call for holding “town hall”-style events across the country.
“We’ve certainly been watching the tariff conversation closely,” said Bruce Nustad, president of the Minnesota Retailers Association. “Retailers do import products from various parts of the world…There’s a potentially strong impact on retailers and ultimately consumers.”
MnRA has about 250 member companies that operate approximately 1,200 retail locations within Minnesota. Nustad said that MnRA’s membership is about one-third “mom and pop” stores, one third small regional retailers with multiple locations and one-third large national companies.
Nustad said that MnRA works with the National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association on federal issues affecting retailers; both of those groups are part of the new Americans for Free Trade group as well.
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It's Time To Register For Retail Rally Oct. 9--Save 30% Today With Promo Code "retailchampion"
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August Retail Sales Increase 5 Percent Over Last Year
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From the National Retail Federation, September 14, 2018
August retail sales increased 0.1 percent seasonally adjusted over July and 5 percent year-over-year as the economy continued to grow despite concerns about the growing trade war, the National Retail Federation said today. The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants.
“Consumers are still in the driver’s seat,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “Retail sales remain strong thanks to a solid labor market, accelerating wage growth and consumer optimism, which helps to power the consumer spending gains we are seeing. Clearly, household spending is resilient and a contributor to third-quarter GDP growth, however, uncertainty over tariffs is creating anxiety and could fuel material changes in consumer spending.”
The three-month moving average was also up 4.9 percent over the same period a year ago. The August results build on improvement seen in July, which was up 0.4 percent monthly from June and 4.9 percent year-over-year.
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Tuesday: Don't Miss Our Supplier Partnerships Seminar
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Every business depends on key partnerships in order to thrive: customers, employees, board members and suppliers. Suppliers provide the lifeblood to your products and services, bringing your vision to life – but how often do we take time to cultivate these partnerships? How do we ensure that the totality of our supplier partnerships is a reflection of the values and principles of your organization? How do we gather their feedback and insights, to enable our own growth. These questions and more, will be discussed at this seminar.
Event Details:
Supplier Partnerships | Dating For Business?
Roseville Public Library
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
10:15 - 11:30 a.m.
RSVP:
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St. Paul City Council Hears Passionate Public Comments On Proposed $15 Minimum Wage
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From the Pioneer Press, Fredrick Melo, September 12, 2018
A St. Paul high school teacher called for a $15 minimum wage to be implemented within three years instead of as many as seven. Even with a $15 minimum, a concerned father worried how his daughter, who pays $900 monthly for a one-bedroom apartment, would afford housing after the $100 rent hike on the horizon.
The owner of a fast-food franchise questioned whether employers would still hire the teens and disabled workers who make up most of his workforce. A single-mother said part-time restaurant work on the weekends allowed her the flexibility to take care of her 3-year-old daughter — and she worried that she would lose money, rather than gain, under a $15 minimum that doesn’t include exemptions for tipped workers.
At least 50 residents, business owners, community organizers and activists participated in a public hearing before the St. Paul City Council on Wednesday evening to discuss an issue that has rankled labor and industry from coast to coast — a $15 minimum wage.
At the request of the council, the Citizens League recently published a report outlining three ways St. Paul could implement a $15 minimum wage citywide, for businesses of all sizes, within seven years or less. One scenario, the least popular with the league’s 14-week study committee, would allow a partial exemption, or “tip credit,” for tipped workers in restaurants that serve liquor.
In all three scenarios, employers would be expected to pay the state minimum to disabled workers. Youth workers in city-approved job readiness programs could also be paid less than the citywide minimum during their first few months of employment.
Mayor Melvin Carter, who made the wage issue a centerpiece of his 2017 campaign, and the city council have committed to voting on a plan by the end of the year. As of Jan. 1, the minimum wage in Minnesota was $7.87 for small businesses and $9.65 for large businesses. Those numbers will go up about 20 cents in 2019.
Council Member Jane Prince said the Citizens League study committee lacked sufficient input from “micro-businesses,” such as the immigrant-run shops on the East Side that have no more than one or two employees, and she hoped to increase their voice.
The council will hold two more policy sessions to gather feedback. The first will be held from 9 to 11:15 a.m. Saturday at the Hmong Elders Center, 1337 Rice St., and the second will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Palace Community Center, 781 Palace Ave.
The council will likely begin crafting a wage ordinance in October, with Chris Tolbert’s office taking the lead.
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Brand Loyalty Fading Among Americans
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From Media Post, Laurie Sullivan, September 14, 2018
Consumers are not as loyal as they once were, according to data released this week. The findings come from a look into the purchasing habits of American consumers -- analyzed by Adtaxi, an ad-tech company supporting multiple marketing channels.
The study was conducted online using Survey Monkey. About 1,000 participants were polled in the United States. Those responding represent a range of household incomes and geographic locations, as well as age and gender.
Among the findings, 75% of respondents admit to having a preferred brand when shopping, but 76% of those said they are likely to change their mind as they shop.
Some 83% cite value based on the price paid as being the No. 1 factor when considering making a purchase, followed by quality at 80%, reputation at 47%, and service at 39%.
Consumers, at 79%, said they typically learn about products and services by browsing online -- ahead of word of mouth, which was cited by 56% of respondents.
About 49% said their purchase decisions are influenced by friends’ social media posts, closely followed by 30% saying their decisions are influenced by a brand or retailer they follow on social media.
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August Retail Sales Miss As Gas Prices Rise
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From the Retail Dive, Daphne Howland, September 17, 2018
Despite the disappointment, most observers shrugged off the government's lower retail sales tally for August, noting that the economy's fundamentals remain strong.
"Although the retail sales growth of 0.1% for August reported by the U.S. Department of Commerce today was lower than expected, 2018 has demonstrated a strong sales growth trend year to date," Moody's Vice President Mickey Chadha said in comments emailed to Retail Dive. Chadha, pointing to "record low unemployment and rising consumer confidence," noted that sales so far have come in at the high end of Moody's forecasts.
Predictions of an ongoing favorable sales trend is backed up by the National Retail Federation, which last week reported that the three-month moving average was also up 4.9% year over year. Many of the same elements of the economy that are keeping consumers buoyant, including low unemployment and rising wages, along with emerging headwinds like rising freight and fuel prices, are likely to cause the Fed to raise interest rates later this year. That could rein in spending further.
But even with that possibility, it seems to be all systems go as retailers head into the holidays. "Consumers are still in the driver's seat,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said in a statement. "Clearly, household spending is resilient and a contributor to third-quarter GDP growth.” Of greater concern than rising interest rates is uncertainty around tariffs, which Kleinhenz said "is creating anxiety and could fuel material changes in consumer spending.
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Minnesota Retailers Association | (612) 227-6631| info@mnretail.org | mnretail.org
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