December 2023

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Prepared and Distributed by The Midwest Hardware Association, Inc.

Legislation Introduced to Repeal Wisconsin's Unfair Sales Act

By Misha Lee, MHA Wisconsin Lobbyist

Wisconsin's Unfair Sales Act, also known as the "Minimum Markup law," has been a source of debate for decades. Proponents argue that it protects small businesses from predatory pricing by large big box retailers, while opponents claim the law is outdated and artificially inflates prices for consumers. Recently, legislation has been introduced calling for the repeal of the Unfair Sales Act, but before state lawmakers rush to dismantle this law, it's important that they consider the potential consequences for smaller retailers and Wisconsin consumers.


Read the full article here.

Illinois Paid Leave Laws for 2024

By Alec Laird, MHA Illinois Lobbyist and Vice President, Government Relations for the Illinois Retail Merchants Association

Three separate paid leave laws are set to take place in Illinois in 2024. The state Paid Leave for All Workers Act is set to start January 1, 2024. Any employer not located in Cook County or Chicago must follow the state law. The Cook County Board of Commissions passed an ordinance that transforms the county’s current paid sick leave ordinance to a new paid leave ordinance, effective December 31, 2023. The provisions of the new Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance largely follow the requirements of the upcoming Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act. Any employer located in Cook County and not located in Chicago must follow the Cook County ordinance. Chicago’s paid leave and paid sick leave ordinance’s effective date is delayed until July 1, 2024. Any employer located in Chicago must follow Chicago’s current paid sick leave ordinance between now and July 1, 2024. After July 1, any employer located in Chicago must follow Chicago’s paid sick/paid leave ordinance.


A description of each policy is outlined in this chart.

MHA Membership Renewal begins January 4

Your MHA Membership renewal will take place online this year! We understand that this is a change from previous years, but we believe that it is a more efficient way to renew your membership. You will be able to access the online renewal portal starting January 4, 2024, through January 31, 2024.


(We will send you another email with detailed instructions on how to renew your membership online by the end of next week.)

 

We are excited to announce some new 2024 benefits for our members:


  1. You can now renew your membership online, saving you time and hassle.
  2. You can access the member guide online, where you can find all the information you need about your membership and our services.
  3. You have access to our new partner, NewtekOne, who can help you with a range of services, such as:


  • CyberSecurity review (FREE): They will assess your current security measures and provide recommendations to improve them.
  • Insurance review: They will review your current lines of insurance and make sure you are adequately covered for your needs.
  • Financing assistance: They will help you find the best financing options for your business or personal goals.


**Also coming in 2024, we will launch a new marketplace where you can find exclusive deals and discounts from our trusted partners!**


These benefits are designed to help you grow, protect, and enhance your business. We hope you take full advantage of them, and we look forward to the future.


Thank you for your continued support and loyalty to your association.

Sales Trends August 2023

Here are the most recent Illinois, Minnesota-Dakotas, and Wisconsin hardware store sales trends, gathered from association members using the MHA's monthly accounting services. The figures derived for each region include sales data from the following number of stores:


Illinois - 16 stores

Minn.-Dakotas - 10 stores

Wisconsin - 40 stores