MRA In The News
ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA) today presented its 2026 awards for individuals who have supported the retail industry over the past year. MRA’s annual awards recognize legislators, business owners, community leaders, and industry partners who support the mission of the organization and the growth and stability of the retail business community in Maryland. “This past year was another incredibly busy one for the Maryland Retailers Alliance,” said Cailey Locklair, MRA President. “To the elected officials joining us tonight: thank you for taking our calls, meeting with our members, listening to our concerns, working through complicated issues with us, sponsoring amendments, and supporting Maryland’s retail community.” This year’s award categories included Legislator of the Year, the Louis L. Goldstein Public Service Award, and the Retail Theft Prevention Award. The following individuals were honored: Senate President Bill Ferguson, Legislator of the Year Senator Pam Beidle, Louis L. Goldstein Public Service Award Sergio D'Alto, Bel Air Police Department, Retail Theft Prevention Award Ahmad Ali, Safeway, Retail Theft Prevention Award Lara King, Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office, Retail Theft Prevention Award “I am so grateful and humble to accept the 2026 legislator of the year award from the Retailers Alliance; it really means a great deal to me personally, but also on behalf of the Senate of Maryland,” said Senate President Bill Ferguson. “What I’ve learned in the last few years is that real leadership requires listening. It means working with those who are impacted most–you, our retailers, who are growing in our neighborhoods, who are being incentivized to open up in our main streets across our entire state. If our retailers are successful, then Maryland is successful.” The Maryland Retailers Alliance weighed in on over 100 bills in Annapolis during the 2026 legislative session, and was heavily involved in the drafting of the dynamic pricing legislation which will impact how retailers set prices on goods throughout the state. The organization worked closely with leaders in the Senate on this and other bills, including proposals to address predatory lending practices and gift card scams, and a bill to provide guidance to retailers and customers for navigating cash payments now that the federal government has discontinued minting the penny. “Thank you to the retailers for this award, but it really is a very special award for me,” said Senator Pam Beidle. “When I first ran for office 28 years ago, at my very first fundraiser, Comptroller Louis Goldstein was my guest speaker. So it’s a special award to receive from the retailers, but it’s really special to me for that memory. Thank you all and I look forward to your continued work in the legislature.” The awards were presented virtually; the ceremony can be viewed here on MRA’s website.
As published by Chris Monticalmo GREENBELT, Md. — Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman announced Wednesday that the state’s annual Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week will return next month, offering families a break on back-to-school essentials and boosting local retailers. The tax holiday will run from Sunday, Aug. 9, through Saturday, Aug. 15. During the week, qualifying clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per item will be exempt from the state’s 6 percent sales tax. In addition, the first $40 of a backpack’s purchase price will be exempt from the tax. Lierman, who made the announcement during a press conference at Beltway Plaza Mall, also unveiled a partnership with the Maryland Retailers Alliance for a promotional video contest. Under the initiative, Marylanders can submit short videos filmed at brick-and-mortar retailers in the state sharing money-saving tips. Participants can win up to $1,000 to use during the tax-free week. In a statement, Lierman said the week provides meaningful savings for families on everyday essentials while supporting local businesses that strengthen communities and economies. She encouraged residents and visitors alike to shop local to take advantage of the discount. Local officials and business leaders underscored the importance of the sales tax holiday for small, family-owned establishments. Beltway Plaza Mall is home to more than 90 businesses, many of which are immigrant-owned and represent more than 20 languages. Kenny Wine, vice president of operations for Beltway Plaza Mall, called the week one of the busiest and most crucial shopping events of the year, noting that it drives vital customer traffic to local merchants. State Del. Nicole Williams and Greenbelt Mayor Emmett Jordan also praised the initiative, noting that the temporary relief helps families manage rising household costs. Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, said every purchase made at a neighborhood retailer helps sustain local jobs and keep the state’s economy thriving. Submissions for the video contest will be accepted through Aug. 1, with winners scheduled to be announced on Aug. 8, the day before the tax-free week begins. Information regarding eligible items, contest rules, and frequently asked questions is available on the Maryland Comptroller’s website. Click here to read article on NottinghamMD https://nottinghammd.com/2026/07/19/2026-s hop-maryland-tax-free-week-and-cash-prize-video-contest-details-announced/
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As published by Dominique Moody and Paulina Inglima As prices continue to climb, sticker shock has become a familiar experience for Maryland shoppers. The state hopes to offer temporary relief during its annual tax-free week, running Aug. 9 to 15, just in time for back-to-school shopping. Tax-free items include clothing and footwear priced under $100, as well as the first $40 of a backpack purchase. Here’s an FAQ on what qualifies. The state is partnering with the Maryland Retailers Alliance in a social media contest that gives shoppers a chance to win up to $1,000 during tax-free week. Residents can enter by sharing “a short video (15–60 seconds recommended) at a Maryland retailer sharing a tip for saving money during Maryland's Tax-Free Week.” The contest is open to Maryland residents ages 18 and up and there will be prizes of $1,000, $500 and $250. The winners will be announced the day before tax-free week begins. See all details and eligibility requirements here. A spokesperson said the initiative is “designed to celebrate Maryland retailers while encouraging shoppers to share their tax-free finds and savings.” Local Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman said the savings matter. “This is an important way to meet Marylanders where they are and make it more affordable to live in this state,” Lierman said. Betty, a Maryland shopper, said she is feeling the impact of rising costs even without children to shop for. “I’m just a family of one, and I’m complaining about the prices and costs,” Betty said. She said she doesn’t have kids but understands how tax-free week can help families prepare for back-to-school. “The books, the uniforms, the shoes — we need a break, and we need it now.” Click here to read article on NBC4 Washington https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-tax-free-week-offers-relief-from-rising-prices/4131387/
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As published by Patrick Herron Maryland’s annual Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week will run from Sunday, August 9, through Saturday, August 15, giving shoppers a break on the state’s 6% sales tax for qualifying clothing, footwear, and backpacks. Clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per item qualify for the exemption, while the first $40 of a backpack purchase is also tax-free. Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman announced the program Wednesday at Beltway Plaza Mall in Greenbelt, encouraging Marylanders to shop local while preparing for the new school year. The Comptroller’s Office also announced a partnership with the Maryland Retailers Alliance to give shoppers a chance to win up to $1,000 through the Maryland Tax-Free Week Video Contest. Marylanders can enter by submitting a short video from a brick-and-mortar Maryland retailer sharing a money-saving tip between July 15 and August 1. Winners will be announced on August 8, one day before Tax-Free Week begins. Officials said the annual tax holiday helps families save on back-to-school essentials while supporting Maryland’s small businesses and local economy. Click here to view the article on The MoCo Show https://mocoshow.com/2026/07/15/maryland-tax-free-week-returns-august-9/
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As excerpted from Governing : In April, Maryland became the first state to ban s urveillance pricing for grocery stores and food delivery services, setting a potential precedent for other states as consumers grow increasingly wary of companies using their data to offer them higher prices. “At a time when Marylanders are already stretched by the rising cost of groceries, housing and everyday necessities, we must ensure that new technologies are not used to drive up the bill for working families,” Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement announcing the Protection from Predatory Pricing Act . Critics of these pricing practices (also called “personalized pricing”) say the practice allows companies to unfairly upcharge some consumers based on their personal data. “Grocery store chains are using reams of personal data to charge people different prices for the same bag of groceries,” writes Economic Action Maryland, a group backing the law. “With surveillance pricing, your personal data is used to adjust the price to what an algorithm has calculated you will pay. … Shoppers don’t have this information to make decisions about prices or know that their bag of groceries costs $10 more than their next-door neighbors.” Maryland’s law was inspired by the proliferation of electronic shelf labels in stores, which could in theory be updated rapidly to display higher prices for goods based on the weather, time of day or detailed consumer data, according to the Moore administration . An earlier version of the law would’ve stopped businesses from changing their prices within the same business day. The new law specifically bans companies from using personal data to set individualized, higher prices for consumers. The law clarifies that it does not block “temporary changes or changes to pricing” intended to retain existing customers. Some advocates, however, say the law should’ve also barred setting individualized discounts. In theory, a store barred from upcharging based on personal data could still artificially raise all its baseline prices, then offer individualized discounts to consumers based on assumptions of what they’re willing to pay. The Maryland Retailers Alliance, on the other hand, says the state law is completely unnecessary, especially in its focus on food retailers. The state’s existing consumer protection law already bars misleading or discriminatory pricing, the alliance says, and the attorney general “has no record of substantiated complaints indicating a pattern of grocery stores engaging in unlawful predatory pricing increases.” Click here to read the full article from Governing .
As published by WBALTV11 : BALTIMORE — Maryland has a new law on the books that impacts cash payments at checkout. The emergency bill gives businesses the option of rounding up or down the amount of change to the nearest cent divisible by five. Will all businesses have to do this? How does it impact sales taxes? WBAL-TV 11 News has the answers. This is just an option for business, as stores that use pennies to make exact change may still do so. This does not impact sales taxes that will be applied to the original unrounded price. A new penny rounding law was a popular topic for callers, who gave their "two cents" on WBAL Radio's C4 & Brian Nehman morning radio show. "I (kind of) like it," a caller said. "Those of us who have these jugs of pennies, be a good Samaritan (and) go to the Dollar Tree, pay your entire bill in pennies so they have enough pennies to give everyone change." Gov. Wes Moore signed the emergency legislation last week. It's in response to the federal decision last year to stop making pennies. The new law gives retailers conducting cash transactions the option of rounding either the final price or the change due, but not both, to the nearest five cents when exact change is not available. "I think it is (kind of) stupid. I don't think they should have stopped making the penny. It's going to screw over a lot of people who rely on pinching pennies," Ronan, a visitor to Baltimore, said. "I hate pennies. I have so many of them. So, it's just convenient," Cathy from Baltimore said. "I'm not liking it. You are nickel-and-dimed everywhere for tips and for all this and that. So, giving up a few cents here and there. Not loving it," Diana Castleberry from Baltimore said. Here's how it works. If the price ends in 1, 2, 6 or 7 cents, the change in cash-only transactions may be rounded down to the nearest cent divisible by 5. If the price ends in 3, 4, 8, or 9 cents, the price can be rounded up to the nearest cent divisible by five. The owner of Melrose Place on The Avenue said she hadn't heard about the penny rounding option. "Definitely one more thing to do. Definitely have to let my staff know. Definitely have to prepare for future transactions," Vishau Paysour, the owner of Melrose Place, said. Shoppers should know the law only applies to cash payments, and exact change is still accepted. It is optional for businesses, and some may not do it. Sales tax stays the same and will be calculated on the original price. "I'm OK with rounding. I'm not a big penny fan. So, I would say as long as it is consistent," Debbie Yare from Baltimore said. The new law is widely supported by business groups, including the Maryland Retailers Alliance. Businesses are encouraged to make their rounding policies known to customers at the point of sale. Click here to read the article from WBALTV11 .
