A couple of statewide organizations that are champions for, and routinely lobby on behalf of, thousands of business enterprises across the state are combing operations in the hopes of becoming even more effective in their advocacy and to bring additional benefits to their merged memberships going forward.
The Michigan Grocers Association and Michigan Retailers Association have announced that they are combining operations effective January 1st of 2018, with the Michigan Grocers group becoming a division of the Michigan Retailers Association.
Both organizations are considered to be advocacy leaders at the state capitol, and feel that by joining together they can provide an even stronger voice for members who are concerned about sales taxes, recycling policies, food safety and other issues.
James Hallan is President & CEO of the Michigan Retailers Association (MRA). He says, “The interests of the two organizations align on many issues, so this is a wonderfully logical pairing.” In recent years they have successfully worked together to eliminate item pricing requirements and ensure a level playing field between remote sellers and Michigan businesses.
Linda Gobler, who has served as President & CEO of the Michigan Grocers Association and been a dedicated champion for the retail food industry for 32 years, will retired at year’s end, however she will remain as a consultant going forward. She says, “This move allows me to step back and yet feel confident that our members will not only be well-served, but also have access to increased benefits.”
Gobler says she expects the move to the MRA to be seamless, especially since Michigan Grocers Association staff will stay on, and the popular monthly Michigan Food News publication will continue to inform its members.
Gobler says, “Our strength has been legislative and regulatory representation and that won’t change.” She was honored by the national Food Marketing Institute in 2013 for government relations excellence.
The Michigan Retailers Association, meanwhile, is the largest state retail association in the nation, representing more than 15,000 stores and e-commerce websites across the state of Michigan. It is known as a leader in providing members with premier customer service, legislative advocacy, competitive credit card processing, workers compensation insurance and other cost-saving benefits.
The Michigan Grocers Association represents hundreds of supermarkets, grocers, eat-at-home food businesses, gourmet and convenience stores in addition to drug and pet food retailers. Associate members range from manufacturers to wholesalers and equipment companies. Recent legislative victories for the grocers include revising the food stamp distribution system, updating liquor laws, and working to improve comprehensive recycling in Michigan. The group works closely with the Department of Agriculture on food safety regulations.
This transition is not unprecedented in Michigan. The MRA has joined forces in the past with the Michigan Retail Hardware Association, the Michigan Shoe Association, the Michigan Jewelers Association and the Michigan Tire & Vehicle Association.
