maryland-retailers-association

New Cash Bill Will Change Payments For 6.1m Americans

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:18:07 GMT

As excerpted from Newsweek :

Maryland lawmakers have are debating a bill that would require many retailers to accept cash for in-person purchases, with potential effects for about 6.1 million residents statewide.

House Bill 191 would bar merchants from refusing cash in most in-person transactions and set civil penalties for violations, a change intended to preserve access for unbanked and underbanked consumers.

Supporters said cashless policies can exclude low-income households, undocumented residents, and people without bank accounts from buying essentials, while opponents warned of added costs and potential safety risks for retailers.

Cash usage has declined across the U.S. in recent years, though plenty of Americans still use it frequently. According to a 2025 report by the Federal Reserve, 14 percent of transactions in 2024 were completed in cash, and more than 90 percent of U.S. consumers intend to use cash as either a means of payment or store of value in the future.

HB 191, titled "Consumer Protection—Retail Transactions—Cash Payments," was pre-filed by Delegate Greg Wims, a Montgomery County Democrat, and assigned to the House Economic Matters Committee.

The measure would prohibit merchants, in covered transactions, from declining cash , requiring card payments, or charging a fee to customers who pay with cash, and violations would be enforced as unfair or deceptive practices under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act.

The bill applies to in-person retail transactions between $5 and $300, with exclusions for phone, mail, internet, and parking transactions, according to the legislative summary.

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Delegate Gregory Wims said: "Cash is the staple of our country. No person should be prohibited from using legal tender when trying to buy groceries at the supermarket or clothes at a clothing store."

Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance , said: "There are many reasons why businesses are moving toward a cashless model," said, citing concerns about safety, organized retail crime, and costs such as safes and deposit fees. She said many retailers are using "app based, mobile kiosk-kind of models that are designed to be cashless for efficiency and speed."

Click here to read the full article from Newsweek .

‘Cash is the staple of our country’: Bill would push businesses to accept cash

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:32:32 GMT

As excerpted from Maryland Matters :

A Montgomery County delegate is pushing a bill that would require businesses to accept cash payments for purchases less than $300, a move that supporters said keeps the economy open to all Marylanders.

“Cash is the staple of our country,” Del. Gregory Wims (D-Montgomery) said at a House hearing last month on House Bill 191 . “No person should be prohibited from using legal tender when trying to buy groceries at the supermarket or clothes at a clothing store.”

The bill, the “Consumer Protection – Retail Transactions – Cash Payments,” would address the growing number of incidents in which merchants do not accept cash payments at brick-and-mortar stores, said Wims, the sponsor of the bill.

But some opponents argue a cash mandate could heighten safety risks for retailers and increase the cost of running a business. Since its Feb. 10 hearing in the House Economic Matters Committee the bill appears to have stalled.

The legislation comes as more and more retailers refuse to accept cash, a policy bill supporters said could exclude undocumented people, low-income households and those without bank accounts from making purchases.

The bill would also prohibit merchants from charging additional fees for customers paying with cash. The requirement would not apply to purchases made online, over the phone or by mail. Among other provisions, it would not include transactions when merchants are operating at a temporary location, including at an event.

Advocates said the bill could help many low- and middle-income families who use cash or those who have maxed out their credit cards and are unable to use them.

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Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, said there are many reasons why businesses are moving toward a cashless model.

She pointed to concerns, including employee safety, organized retail crime, robbery and theft. Many retailers are using “app based, mobile kiosk-kind of models that are designed to be cashless for efficiency and speed,” she said.

There are also other costs associated with using cash, such as cash registers, safes, deposit fees and staff time to count the money, Locklair said.

“For smaller retailers who operate on really thin margins, those costs can be significant,” she said.

Click here to read the full article from Maryland Matters .

Maryland Beer and Wine Push Appears to Stall Again

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 19:27:30 GMT

As excerpted from Food World :

Just a few months ago, supporters of allowing beer and wine sales in Maryland grocery stores sounded cautiously optimistic . A renewed legislative push and fresh economic analysis had advocates predicting the long-running debate might finally move forward in Annapolis.

But as the 2026 legislative session moves deeper into the calendar, the effort appears to be encountering the same familiar roadblocks.

Several key lawmakers in the Maryland Senate have signaled that legislation allowing beer and wine sales in grocery stores is unlikely to advance this year. A companion proposal in the House has also struggled to gain traction, particularly among legislators concerned about the potential impact on independent liquor retailers.

The issue has become something of an annual ritual in the Maryland General Assembly. Each year, lawmakers introduce bills that would permit grocery stores to sell beer and wine – and each year the proposals stall in committee.

Supporters say the economic case for change continues to strengthen.

A new analysis conducted by the Jacob France Institute at the University of Baltimore found that allowing beer and wine sales in grocery stores could increase retail alcohol sales in Maryland and generate millions of dollars in additional tax revenue for the state. The report estimates state government revenues could rise between $4.7 million and $6.6 million annually as more beer and wine purchases shift back into Maryland from neighboring states.

“Allowing beer and wine sales in grocery stores has the potential to increase retail wine and beer sales in Maryland, thereby generating jobs and tax revenues for Maryland,” said Richard Clinch, PhD, director of the Jacob France Institute and author of the study.

The study also examined the long-term effects of similar policy changes in states such as Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. In each case, alcohol retailer employment eventually rose above pre-reform levels after grocery store sales were permitted, suggesting that concerns about lasting damage to independent liquor retailers may be overstated.

Still, opposition from the state’s independent liquor store sector remains strong, and those concerns continue to resonate with many lawmakers in Annapolis.

Maryland remains one of only four states that does not allow any alcohol sales in grocery stores. Supporters argue the restriction puts the state out of step with modern retail practices and creates inconvenience for consumers.

Polls have consistently shown strong public support for changing the law. A recent Maryland Now poll found roughly 80 percent of likely voters favor allowing grocery stores to sell beer and wine.

Advocates say the policy shift could also help attract grocery stores to underserved communities where full-service supermarkets have struggled to take root.

“Grocery stores operate with some of the smallest profit margins in retail, and this change would go a long way toward attracting and retaining stores in our communities.” said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance.

Click here to read the full article from Food World .

Moore, Peña-Melnyk make rare committee appearances to testify for ‘dynamic pricing’ bills

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:02:49 GMT

As excerpted from Maryland Matters :

Legislative leaders and the governor don’t think retailers should be able to charge different prices for the same product based on a customer’s personal data — but if they do, the customer should at least be warned about it.

Those were among the proposals debated Tuesday during a hearing of the House Economic Matters Committee, a rare occasion when both Gov. Wes Moore (D) and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George’s and Anne Arundel) came out to testify on their bills in person.

Moore, Peña-Melnyk and Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) announced in January that they would be working to curtail so-called “surveillance” pricing, part of a broad effort to tackle everyday affordability issues. But the speaker took it a step further Tuesday with her bill, that would ensure that shoppers know if their data has been used to set prices.

House Bill 1475 would require stores to show shoppers a disclaimer to shoppers when the price of goods and services have been set based on “personalized algorithmic data.”

“With the rise of artificial intelligence and advanced data collection, companies now have the ability to tailor prices to individual consumers to maximize their profits,” said Duane Bond, senior policy adviser to Peña-Melnyk, during Tuesday’s hearing.

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Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, suggested that the disclaimer should only occur when personalized algorithmic data is used to drive prices up, not when lowering prices, since it’s “likely to unnecessarily alarm consumers.”

“Most consumers do not understand how algorithms are functioning, they may not realize that this tool is being used to generate personalized discounts, optimize our inventory, reduce waste and ultimately lower prices,” Locklair said.

Peña-Melnyk’s appearance followed testimony by the governor on one of his priority bills, the Protection from Predatory Pricing Act.

House Bill 895 would prohibit “dynamic pricing” defined in the legislation as “the practice of varying prices of consumer goods or services within a business day based on demand or other factors, including through the use of artificial intelligence or models that retrain or recalibrate based on received information in real-time.”

The legislation would prohibit food retailers from using “surveillance data” to collect information on a “consumer’s behavior, characteristics, location or other personal attributes” to set prices for an individual or a group of people.

“Here is basically how it works, prices are changing sometimes by the hour and sometimes by the minute based on where you shop and based on who is shopping,” Moore said in his testimony. “And it’s happening because digital price tags are replacing paper ones. It’s happening because we are having cameras that are watching aisles.

“It’s happening because we have apps that are moving from search-based to predictive and having true curated experiences that end up harming the average shopper,” he said. “That algorithm can crunch data into one question: How much should I charge this person, and how much can I get away with charging this person?”

But retail lobbyists like Locklair, as they have said before, denied that dynamic pricing as described in the bill is occurring widely in Maryland.

“There is no data … of widespread surveillance-based pricing abuses,” Locklair said, reiterating that the current bill language is too broad and could eliminate loyalty programs meant to reduce prices for shoppers.

Click here to read the full article from Maryland Matters .

Beer and wine sales in grocery stores appear stalled for this year

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:09:02 GMT

As excerpted from Maryland Matters:

Consumers looking to buy beer and wine in grocery and other retail stores may have to wait a little longer.

What is practically a perennial effort to let other retailers sell some alcoholic beverages appears destined to stall again, with two key Senate Democrats saying a Senate bill is not poised to move forward, and a House version hitting a brick wall of concerns about small business owners Wednesday.

“I don’t foresee us this year taking on this issue in a significant way,” Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) told reporters Tuesday. “I do think probably in the next term, we’re going to have to figure out some sort of compromise here.”

He said he does not see that compromise emerging in the remaining six weeks of this session, but that “in the next term, there’s probably a broader conversation about how to do this as fairly as possible, because we do know that it is that convenience is what Marylanders want.”

Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, called Ferguson’s comments “unfortunate.”

“We have independent studies stating that $75 million in new revenue would come to Maryland. This is not a new tax. This is not a new cut. This is a decision that benefits communities. It provides jobs. Neighborhood Stabilization retains existing stores and attracts new ones.”

The retailers association is a member of the Consumer Freedom Coalition, which is backing the push to expand beer and wine sales and, as part of that effort, targeted Ferguson in a mail campaign. The coalition also commissioned a University of Baltimore study looking at the potential effects of expanded sales in Maryland .

Supporters, undaunted, gathered in Annapolis Wednesday to push for passage of House Bill 1303 , which was being heard by the House Economic Matters Committee, and Senate Bill 75 , which was heard last month. The bills are similar, but not identical.

Both bills would allow grocery stores and big box wholesale chains to sell beer and wine. The House bill also includes convenience stores and pharmacies, if they meet minimum square footage requirements.

Click here to read the full article f rom Maryland Matters .

Maryland lawmakers make new effort for beer and wine sales in grocery stores

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 21:53:42 GMT

As excerpted from CBS News :

Maryland lawmakers are once again pushing legislation that would allow grocery stores to sell beer and wine.

The Alcoholic Beverages and Modernization Act of 2026 was filed last week in the House of Delegates and is sponsored by several state leaders.

The ban on beer and wine sales in Maryland grocery stores has been in place since 1978, and continues to spark debate for business owners, lawmakers and residents.

"We are seeing grocery stores close. We've seen four new grocery stores have closed across the state of Maryland," said Maryland Delegate Amprey, who is one of the supporters. "Beer and wine in these stores can be the lift that they need in order to make sure their margins are in a place where they can stay where they are, and people in the communities have access to fresh food."

According to the Maryland Retailers Alliance , 80% of Marylanders support this bill.

Maryland is one of four states that doesn't allow those types of sales. Delaware, Rhode Island and Alaska are the others.

Several past attempts to pass that law have failed.

Click here to read the full article from CBS News .

Maryland lawmakers begin work on banning surveillance pricing as retail advocates object

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:02:29 GMT

As excerpted from WYPR :

Top Maryland Democrats signaled last month that banning surveillance and dynamic pricing statewide would be a high priority this legislative session, and one of the bills to begin work on the matter had its first committee hearing Tuesday.

HB0148 would prohibit the use of personal or biometric data when companies set their prices.

The practice — known as surveillance pricing — is used to set customized prices for individuals based on data collected around their traits and characteristics, often through artificial intelligence (AI).

Del. Joe Vogel (D-Montgomery County) brought the bill forward out of concern that companies are using surveillance pricing to selectively price gouge customers based on their spending habits.

“There was an investigation into Instacart recently that found they were actually grouping consumers into different buckets depending on different characteristics of personal data, and then charging them different prices depending on their personal characteristics,” Vogel said during his opening remarks.

Vogel noted Instacart — a third party grocery delivery service — stopped the practice after amid outrage from customers in December, but he worries surveillance pricing tactics will only spread if not regulated.

“There is discussion of a number of additional businesses that are looking to engage in AI price gouging and wage fixing,” Vogel said, also referring to workers being docked pay based on surveillance data, like tracking driving habits and workplace efficiency metrics.

An amendment to the bill — that would need lawmaker approval — is proposing banning electronic shelving labels (ESLs) altogether, which are digital price tags in stores that allow companies to adjust prices without manually changing tags.

“ESLs allow a company to change prices instantly, several times a day for different customers. Without this prohibition, companies will continue to implement surveillance based pricing at scale,” said Elizabeth Bobo, legislative director at the Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO.

Retail and tech advocates testified in strong opposition to the bill as written, arguing banning any type of data-driven customized pricing could result in less discounts for customers.

“Retailers strongly support the principle that consumer data should not be used to increase prices, and if that's what this bill said, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be sitting up here. We agree with that goal full stop,” said President of the Maryland Retailers Alliance Cailey Locklair.

Locklair argues Maryland’s data privacy laws allow businesses to collect consumer data, as long as that practice is disclosed and customers are allowed to opt out.

“But consumer and retail loyalty programs are different because they're more protective. They are opt-in. Consumers choose them because they want savings. Retailers use data to deliver data-driven discounts, not penalties,” Locklair said.

Click here to read the full article from WYPR .

Maryland Sales Tax Waived on ENERGY STAR Appliances

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:18:10 GMT

As reported by the Southern Maryland Chronicle:

Annapolis, Maryland – Maryland will suspend its 6 percent state sales tax on qualifying ENERGY STAR appliances during Shop Maryland Energy Weekend, scheduled for Saturday, February 14, through Monday, February 16, 2026, allowing residents to purchase energy-efficient products at reduced upfront costs.

Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman announced the tax holiday on February 4, 2026, highlighting its role in providing savings to households facing rising everyday expenses and utility bills. The exemption applies to both new and used eligible appliances purchased in stores or online during the three-day period, which runs from 12:01 a.m. on February 14 to 11:59 p.m. on February 16.

“We are waiving the state’s 6% sales tax on qualifying Energy Star appliances to deliver real savings to Maryland families that can help offset increasing household costs on everyday items and higher utility bills,” Lierman stated. “I encourage Marylanders to consider purchasing any needed new appliances during Shop Maryland Energy Weekend to take advantage of lower upfront costs and long-term energy savings.”

Qualifying ENERGY STAR products include room air conditioners, clothes washers and dryers, standard-size refrigerators, furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, and programmable thermostats. Solar water heaters remain exempt from sales tax year-round. To earn the ENERGY STAR certification, products must satisfy strict energy-efficiency criteria established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The initiative, which began in 2011, results in the state forgoing an estimated $800,000 in sales tax revenue each year based on purchases of eligible items during the weekend. The temporary exemption encourages consumers to invest in appliances that deliver ongoing reductions in energy consumption and lower utility costs over the products’ lifetimes.

Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, described the event as mutually beneficial. “Maryland’s Energy Star tax-free weekend is a win for both consumers and retailers. It helps families save money on energy-efficient appliances while encouraging smarter purchases that lower utility bills and reduce energy use over time,” she said.

The tax holiday aligns with broader state efforts to promote energy efficiency and support household affordability. Retailers across Maryland, including big-box stores, appliance specialists, and online sellers, typically participate by stocking eligible ENERGY STAR models and highlighting the promotion.

Marylanders planning purchases during the weekend can verify product eligibility by checking for the ENERGY STAR label or consulting retailer lists. Additional details, including a complete list of qualifying items and answers to common questions, are available through the Comptroller’s Office Frequently Asked Questions resource on the state website.

Shop Maryland Energy Weekend provides a recurring annual opportunity for residents to combine immediate tax savings with long-term reductions in household energy use, particularly relevant amid ongoing pressures on family budgets in Southern Maryland and across the state.

Click here to view the article from the Southern Maryland Chronicle .

Marylanders to save on Energy Star appliances during tax-free weekend Feb. 14–16

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:15:40 GMT

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman has announced the return of Shop Maryland Energy Weekend, a three-day tax holiday designed to provide financial relief to Maryland families while promoting energy efficiency. From February 14 through February 16, 2026, the state will waive its 6% sales tax on qualifying Energy Star-certified appliances.

The tax exemption applies to both new and used products, whether purchased in-person at local retailers or through online platforms. By waiving the sales tax, state officials aim to help residents offset rising household costs and reduce long-term utility expenses.

Eligible Appliances and Savings

To qualify for the tax-free status, appliances must bear the Energy Star label, indicating they meet strict energy-efficiency standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The following items are included in the 2026 holiday:

Air conditioners and dehumidifiers
Clothes washers and dryers
Standard-size refrigerators
Furnaces, heat pumps, and boilers
Programmable thermostats
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)

While the tax holiday is a temporary three-day event, Maryland law currently exempts solar water heaters from sales tax year-round.

Economic and Environmental Impact

Shop Maryland Energy Weekend has been an annual staple since 2011. Comptroller Lierman noted that the state forgoes approximately $800,000 in tax revenue each year during this event to encourage smarter, greener consumer choices.

Cailey Locklair, President of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, called the weekend a “win for both consumers and retailers,” noting that it supports local businesses during a typically slow shopping season while helping families invest in appliances that lower their carbon footprint.

Important Dates and Information

The event begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, and concludes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026. Consumers are encouraged to check with local utility providers, as some may offer additional rebates on top of the state’s tax savings.

Marylanders can learn more about Shop Maryland Energy Weekend by viewing the Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) .

Click here to view the announcement from NottinghamMD.com

Maryland Retailers Alliance Opposes Legislation Prohibiting Beneficial Data-Driven Pricing

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 17:50:29 GMT

Annapolis, MD – The Maryland Retailers Alliance opposes legislation that would prohibit so-called “surveillance pricing” because it is based on misconceptions about how pricing actually works in grocery stores and retail more broadly.

Retailers do not set prices based on individual consumers’ personal data, identity, or purchasing history. Grocery shelf prices are the same for every customer who walks through the door, regardless of who they are, where they live, or what they have purchased in the past. Claims suggesting otherwise are simply inaccurate.

Much of the confusion stems from a misunderstanding of dynamic or algorithmic pricing , which retailers use to manage inventory, respond to wholesale cost changes, and remain competitive. This technology helps retailers adjust prices uniformly across all shoppers based on factors such as supplier costs, seasonality, promotions, and market competition—not personal consumer data.

Recent academic research, including a University of California San Diego study examining the use of electronic shelf labels in grocery stores, found no evidence of surge pricing or individualized pricing as a result of these technologies. The study concluded that fears of grocery “surge pricing” are not supported by real-world data.

Grocery retailers already operate on razor-thin margins, often between one and three percent. Restricting legitimate pricing tools would increase operational costs, reduce flexibility, and ultimately harm consumers through higher prices, reduced promotions, or fewer choices—particularly in communities already facing affordability challenges.

Maryland should focus on policies grounded in facts, not fear, and the fact is that retail technology utilizing consumer data is used to lower prices, not increase them. Legislation that bans practices retailers do not engage in risks unintended consequences while failing to address real consumer concerns. We urge lawmakers to reject proposals that mischaracterize retail pricing practices and instead work collaboratively with businesses to protect consumers and maintain a competitive, affordable marketplace.

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Grocery stores could sell beer and wine under renewed Maryland legislation

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:07:30 GMT

As excerpted from The Washington Times :

The Maryland Consumer Freedom Coalition, backed by the Maryland Retailers Alliance trade association, is renewing its effort for the state to legalize beer and wine sales in grocery stores.

Maryland Retailers Alliance President Cailey Locklair said outside a Giant grocery store Thursday that, since grocery stores and other similar retailers operate on such thin margins, allowing beer and wine sales could be the difference between shutting down and their ability to stay open, especially given competition from stores in nearby jurisdictions.

“In Maryland, we are at a competitive disadvantage,” Ms. Locklair said. Residents who live near the state’s borders cross state lines into the District, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, “where there is one-stop shopping and grocery stores where they can not only buy their groceries, but also purchase their beer and wine.”

She was backed up at the press conference by state Delegate Marlon Amprey, a Democrat and sponsor of previous failed bills to legalize the sale of beer and wine outside of a select group of grandfathered-in stores.

Mr. Amprey, whose district mostly includes West Baltimore, said he was reintroducing his Alcoholic Beverages Modernization Act for the upcoming Maryland legislative session, which starts in January.

Mr. Amprey said Maryland should allow beer and wine sales in grocery stores to make it more convenient for families and workers, give grocery stores more of an edge to stay in neighborhoods that they might otherwise leave, and because of customer safety.

Click here to read the full article from The Washington Times .

Coalition Launches Campaign For Beer, Wine Sales In Maryland Grocery Stores

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 21:20:59 GMT

As excerpted from The Shelby Report:

The Maryland Consumer Freedom Coalition has launched a campaign to advocate for legalizing beer and wine sales in grocery stores.

Maryland is one of just four U.S. states where grocery stores can’t sell alcohol, though the coalition said significant momentum has grown to pass legislation addressing the issue in 2026.

“It’s past time that we pass this bill that has strong support from constituents across the political spectrum,” said Delegate Marlon Amprey, the bill’s lead sponsor in the House of Delegates.

“Beyond providing busy, working families with the convenience they deserve, this measure will help attract and keep grocery stores in communities that too often don’t have sufficient access to fresh foods.”

Sen. Antonio Hayes, the bill’s lead sponsor in the state Senate, added, “The current law is outdated and it’s time for a change. Grocery stores are important economic development anchors and we should be promoting policies that drive investment in our communities and have the potential to attract more high-quality grocery stores to communities that need fresh, healthy food access.

“Maryland cannot continue to be an outlier on this policy.”

Polls have consistently found strong support for allowing beer and wine sales in grocery stores, with the most recent statewide Maryland Now poll showing 80 percent of respondents back the issue.

“Marylanders know that residents of other states are able to do all of their grocery shopping in one stop, and they want the same convenience for themselves,” said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA).

“Grocery stores operate with some of the smallest profit margins in the retail sector, and this change would go a long way toward attracting and retaining stores in our communities.”

Click here to read the full article from The Shelby Report .

Baltimore delegate renews effort to bring beer and wine sales to grocery stores

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 21:18:33 GMT

As published by WYPR:

Delegate Marlon Amprey (D-Baltimore City) believes 2026 could be the year Maryland legalizes beer and wine sales within grocery stores.

He introduced legislation this year that would allow food retailers, pharmacies or gas stations to purchase a Class A liquor license, but the bill ultimately stalled in committee.

Amprey says the House Economic Matters Committee chairman vowed to seriously consider the bill during the upcoming legislative session and that Gov. Wes Moore has already pledged to support it.

In front of the Giant Food in Riverside Thursday, Amprey said his passion for the bill comes down to physical safety and food security.

“Some of the establishments in my neighborhoods are tattered, they have bulletproof glass and individuals don't necessarily feel safe shopping for their beer and wine in these areas. It's important that we have the option and choice to go to a store that’s well lit, like this parking lot right here, that has stable hours, so people can be able to buy their beer and wine in a safe place,” he said.

Amprey also argues legalizing beer and wine sales in grocery stores would help boost profits after watching four new grocery stores in Maryland shut down this year.

“In order for us to be able to stabilize communities so they can have the grocery stores that they deserve and need, beer and wine in these stores can be the lift that they need in order to make sure that their margins are in a place where they can stay where they are, and that people and communities have access to fresh food.”

Maryland Retailers Alliance President Cailey Locklair is also in strong support of the bill, noting a Maryland Now statewide issue poll – conducted by Blended Public Affairs in conjunction with Perry Jacobson – found that 80 percent of likely voters support allowing beer and wine sales in grocery stores.

“It strengthens existing [grocery] stores and creates the economic foundation needed to open new ones, particularly in areas that have been asking for greater access to full service grocers for decades,” Locklair said.

Local union representatives for United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) also spoke in support of the bill.

While opponents have raised concerns about putting traditional liquor stores out of business by granting liquor licenses to grocery stores, Amprey argues the majority of other states are already utilizing this model, and some non-liquor stores in Maryland are already grandfathered into alcohol sales.

Maryland is one of four states in the nation that does not allow any alcohol sales at grocery stores.

Click here to read the article on WYPR .

Council President: Season Of Change Afoot Across Maryland Grocery Market

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 19:43:53 GMT

As excerpted from The Shelby Report:

The Maryland grocery market is in a season of change, according to Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Food Industry Council .

“New stores have opened, but many have closed this year as well,” said Locklair, who also serves as president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance and the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores.

“Food is a necessity category in retail, but like many states, there are many pressures such as tariffs, thin margins, regulatory costs and inflation that may result in additional consolidation.”

. ..

Locklair noted that Maryland’s unemployment rate is around 3.6 percent, a low figure that reflects “strong labor demand and a relatively stable population that provides a solid consumer base and workforce foundation.

“However, Maryland’s close proximity to the nation’s capital means the state’s economy is heavily influenced by federal employment and contracting activity, leaving it vulnerable to shifts in the federal workforce and related budget changes which have yet to be fully realized.”

Last year, the state was able to close a $3.3 billion budget deficit through new taxes, one-time transfers and budget cuts, yet projections for fiscal 2027 are indicating a potential $1.4 billion shortfall, she said.

“This growing structural gap is deeply concerning to the business community, as the prospect of tax increases looms large in upcoming policy discussions,” Locklair said.

The recent federal shutdown, finally resolved in mid-November, as well as continuing uncertainty around SNAP funding, “have recently caused sharp declines in sales for many grocers, particularly those operating in underserved communities across the state,” she said.

On hopefully a more positive note, Maryland’s new organized retail crime law took effect this October, “finally enabling law enforcement to aggregate thefts across jurisdictions, define ORC in statute and collect critical data to better combat these crimes,” Locklair said. Maryland is not unlike a lot of markets nationwide, with labor costs continuing to be a top concern for food retailers, who operate on profit margins of about 1 to 3 percent.

“When consumers spend less, whether due to inflation, reduced SNAP benefits or rising import costs, it triggers a ripple effect throughout the economy: purchasing power declines, store viability weakens, sales drop and retailers are forced to make difficult operational decisions, including cutting labor or reducing inventory,” she noted.

For the upcoming legislative session, Locklair said her food council members are keeping a close eye on a number of issues, including beer and wine sales in food retail stores, tax increases, bans and warning labeling, a bottle tax and labor mandates.

Click here to read the full article from The Shelby Report.

Retail group revives bid to allow beer, wine sales at Maryland grocery stores

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 19:40:22 GMT

As excerpted from The Baltimore Sun:

A retail business group is renewing efforts to repeal a ban on selling beer and wine in Maryland grocery stores.

In a campaign launched Thursday, the Maryland Consumer Freedom Coalition argued that momentum is growing to legalize such sales, with Maryland one of only four states where grocery stores are prohibited from selling any alcohol.

The proposal has been opposed by groups such as the Maryland State Licensed Beverage Association. And small-business owners who have invested in their communities have worried they’ll be put out of business, unable to compete with large-quantity discounts at big-box and convenience stores.

Legislation proposed earlier this year in the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates never received initial committee votes.

The Freedom Coalition, backed by the Maryland Retailers Alliance, says most voters support a change in the law. A statewide Maryland Now poll found support from 80% of respondents, the group said.

“It’s past time that we pass this bill that has strong support from constituents across the political spectrum,” Del. Marlon Amprey, a lead sponsor of House legislation, said in a statement Thursday.

Sen. Antonio Hayes, lead sponsor in the state Senate, called the current law outdated.

“We should be promoting policies that drive investment in our communities and have the potential to attract more high-quality grocery stores to communities that need fresh, healthy food access,” Hayes said in a statement.

Maryland Retailers Alliance has called for overturning the ban, a position that Gov. Wes Moore supported in December 2024 as consumer-friendly.

Click here to read the full article from The Baltimore Sun.

Consumer Freedom Coalition launches campaign for beer, wine sales in grocery stores

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 19:37:57 GMT

As excerpted from Fox45News:

MARYLAND (WBFF) — The Maryland Consumer Freedom Coalition launched a campaign to legalize beer and wine sales in Maryland grocery stores.

The announcement of the campaign, which took place on Dec. 4 outside a Giant Foods grocery store, pushed for a common-sense reform that has already seen support from many Maryland voters.

The Consumer Freedom Coalition stated that Maryland is one of only four states in the country that do not allow alcohol sales in grocery stores, “depriving consumers of a simple convenience that the vast majority of Marylanders support.”

Those who spoke at this event included Delegate Marlon Amprey, Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA) President Cailey Locklair, downtown Baltimore resident and civic leader Eva Hodsdon, and members of the Maryland Consumer Freedom Coalition.

“It’s past time that we pass this bill that has strong support from constituents across the political spectrum,” Delegate Amprey said. “Beyond providing busy, working families with the convenience they deserve, this measure will help attract and keep grocery stores in communities that too often don’t have sufficient access to fresh foods.”

In addition to the Maryland Now poll, which showed 80 percent of Marylanders supporting the push for beer and alcohol sales in grocery stores, the Consumer Freedom Coalition said tens of thousands of Marylanders already indicated their support by signing on to the coalition.

“Marylanders know that residents of other states are able to do all of their grocery shopping in one stop, and they want the same convenience for themselves,” MRA president Locklair said. “Grocery stores operate with some of the smallest profit margines in the retail sector, and this change would go a long way toward attracting and retaining stores in our communities.”

Click here to read the full article from Fox45News .

Coalition advocates for beer and wine sales in Maryland grocery stores

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 19:35:26 GMT

A coalition gathered outside a Giant Food store in Locust Point on Thursday afternoon to launch a campaign to allow beer and wine in grocery stores.

Maryland Retailers Alliance President Cailey Locklair said Maryland is at a competitive disadvantage.

“Residents who live near borders routinely cross state lines into Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the District of Columbia,” Locklair said.

Maryland state Del. Marlon Amprey is the sponsor of the Alcoholic Beverages Modernization Act , which would allow beer and wine to be sold in grocery stores.

Amprey said he thinks about the single mom “who is shopping with two or three kids and wants to be able to buy an alcoholic beverage but has three kids with her and has to go to the grocery store and has soccer before that. It should be easy for that person to do a one stop shop.”

Locklair added that what many people do not realize is that “grocery stores operate on extraordinarily thin profit margins, typically between 1% and 3%.

Maryland is one of four states that do not allow alcohol sales in grocery stores.

Click here to view the article on WBAL NewsRadio .

Maryland Consumer Freedom Coalition pushes for wine, beer sales in grocery stores

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 19:32:36 GMT

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Efforts to expand wine and beer sales in grocery stores renewed after last session's fizzled out

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 19:28:55 GMT

BALTIMORE — If it doesn't work the first time, try, try, try again.

Advocates of a bill that would allow beer and wine sales at grocery stores announced Thursday they'll be doing just that, after efforts fizzled out in Annapolis last session.

Maryland is one of four states that limits the sale of alcohol to liquor stores. This time last year, Governor Moore was a strong advocate to change the rules .

“I’m looking forward to working with the general assembly and getting something to my desk this session,” Moore said last December.

The bills in both the house and senate did not make it past committee.

The Maryland Consumer Freedom Coalition, behind the renewed efforts, states the majority of Marylanders support the change.

A Maryland NOW survey of 1,256 voters published in August 2025 asked people their opinion on “[a]llowing beer and wine sales in grocery stores, like most states.”

59% chose the “strongly supported” response and 22% chose the “partly supported” option.

The Maryland Retailers Alliance argues grocery stores operate at razor thin profit margins and every bit counts.

“Every time a Maryland family crosses that border to shop, we don't just lose their beer and wine sale, we lose their entire grocery basket. We lose sales tax revenue. We lose spending that should be supporting Maryland jobs and Maryland communities,” president Cailey Locklair said.

“Their main hubs are out of state, so the money is not staying in Maryland if they're being bought through corporations, and I think they see it as just sort of an untapped market for them,” worker-owner of The Wine Source Caitlin O’Connor said.

The news is once again unwelcome for mom and pop shops, like The Wine Source in Hampden, who strongly opposed efforts earlier this year.

They believe the price of the convenience promised by the legislation, would come at too high a cost for their profit margins.

“We do think it would be pretty devastating to our business and maybe even catastrophic,” O’Connor said. “There would be places like this where we're not sure that we could stay open. We're not sure that we could keep all our employees here, and that would be true for every store in the city, in the state."

Advocates for the bill say they're considering distance regulations and that no new liquor licenses would be created to accommodate the change. They also pointed to a few examples of grocery stores that have been grandfathered in, such as Eddies of Roland Park, Royal Farms on Keswick Rd. and a Giant in Montgomery County.

“I understand their concern, but at the end of the day, the data shows and the evidence shows that the two stores can balance out and compete fairly,” sponsor of the bill Delegate Marlon Amprey (D) District 40 said.

The effort continues to have the governor’s support.

"Governor Moore remains committed to advancing fair competition and consumer choice across our state. Like the vast majority of Marylanders across political parties and regions, he supports lifting Maryland's ban on beer and wine sales in grocery stores. The governor looks forward to working with the General Assembly to bring Maryland in line with more than 40 other states that have successfully implemented this commonsense reform." - Rhyan Lake, Gov. Moore’s senior communications strategist

O’Connor says last time around, many small businesses that would be affected by the bill banded together. She hopes they’ll be able to tap into that again, to put a cork in the effort for good.

“We felt like that was a really good showing last year and if that's what we have to do again this year we're certainly up for the fight,” she said.

Session begins January 14.

Click here to read the article from WMAR2 .

Maryland Retailers Alliance Forecasts Stable Holiday Shopping Season as National Trends Point to Moderate Growth

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 12:00:48 GMT

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA) today released its annual holiday sales outlook following the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) nationwide forecast. The NRF anticipates U.S. holiday retail sales will grow between 3.7% and 4.2% this season, surpassing the $1 trillion mark for the first time. This national projection, coupled with Maryland-specific economic indicators, suggests a holiday season marked by steady but cautious consumer spending across the state’s retail sector.

National retail data reflects underlying consumer resilience despite inflation and ongoing cost pressures. For Maryland retailers from apparel and electronics to home goods, specialty retail, grocery, and small businesses, this signals a potential opportunity for modest growth. Retailers across the state are preparing for a season where shoppers remain engaged but more price-sensitive, with spending decisions influenced by inflation, household budgeting, and shifts in discretionary purchasing.

Maryland retailers continue to navigate a challenging operating environment, including increased costs for labor, logistics, and compliance, as well as ongoing supply-chain volatility. Seasonal hiring is expected to be more constrained than in past years, with the NRF projecting the lowest national holiday hiring levels in several years. As a result, retailers in Maryland are adjusting staffing models, cross-training team members, and leaning on operational efficiencies to support anticipated holiday traffic.

“While the national forecast gives us reason for optimism, Maryland’s retail sector must approach the season with both strategic planning and adaptability,” said Cailey Locklair, President of the Maryland Retailers Alliance. “Retailers across the state are facing tight labor markets, higher operating costs, and an increasingly frugal consumer. The stores that focus on value, customer experience, and efficient operations are best positioned to succeed. This is a pivotal time for Maryland’s retail community, and we expect strong performance from those who meet consumers where they are.”

Maryland’s diverse retail landscape, ranging from large national chains to local Main Street businesses, stands to benefit from consumers prioritizing convenience, competitive pricing, and personalized service. With inflation influencing purchasing decisions, shoppers are expected to increasingly seek out discounts, loyalty programs, private-label products, and targeted promotions. Retailers who effectively communicate value, maintain reliable inventory, and deliver strong in-store and online customer experiences are likely to outperform.

Despite headwinds, MRA notes that the holiday season remains the most critical revenue period of the year for Maryland retailers, contributing significantly to the state’s economy, workforce, and local communities. The association encourages consumers to shop early, support Maryland-based businesses, and take advantage of the wide range of offerings across the state.

Maryland’s Organized Retail Crime Law Takes Effect October 1

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 20:25:10 GMT

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland’s new organized retail theft law takes effect this week, setting the strictest standards in the region and defining organized retail theft in State statute, authorizing statewide data collection, and expanding the applicability of felony penalties by allowing related thefts to be aggregated across county lines.

The bill, championed by the Maryland Retailers Alliance, was introduced in Annapolis for almost a decade before it finally passed earlier this year. The proposal gained traction in recent years as retail theft cases have increased exponentially since the COVID-19 pandemic, destabilizing retail stores in many communities and resulting in closures of stores due to high losses. Maryland’s high felony theft threshold, commercial port in Baltimore, and proximity to multiple interstate highways has historically provided an ideal environment for perpetrators of organized theft.

“This law is a game-changer for retailers in Maryland,” said Cailey Locklair, President of the Maryland Retailers Alliance. “It finally gives law enforcement and prosecutors the ability to treat organized retail theft as a serious crime that impacts safety, public health, and access to goods in our communities.”

Federal data shows that organized theft is a funding mechanism for other illicit activities including the drug trade, money laundering, and even human trafficking and transnational crime. Organized rings often take advantage of vulnerable individuals to commit retail theft of specific high-value items like laundry detergent, personal care items, baby formula, and copper wire. By allowing charges for related crimes committed across jurisdictions to be joined, the new law puts a stop to criminals’ ability to strategically travel between multiple counties to avoid the state’s $1,500 felony theft threshold and provides the tools needed for law enforcement and prosecutors to target high-level theft rings.

“With this new law, Maryland will no longer be ground zero for organized retail crime,” said House sponsor Delegate Karen R. Toles. “So many of my constituents have expressed concerns about this issue, and starting October 1 ^st , this law will be a tool to hold perpetrators accountable and undoubtedly have a lasting positive impact on businesses and communities across Maryland.”

The law, signed as Chapter 192 , takes effect on October 1.

###

Media Contact: Cailey Locklair

clocklair@mdra.org | 317-397-1918

Maryland Retailers Alliance Presents Annual Awards for Legislative Advocacy and Retail Theft Prevention

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 20:59:42 GMT

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA) last week presented its annual awards for legislative advocacy and retail theft prevention. The presentation occurred virtually and was streamed on YouTube. The awards celebrate individuals who exhibit outstanding public leadership, advocate for the success of the retail business community, and support the mission of the MRA.

The following awards were presented during the virtual stream:

Maryland Retailers Alliance Legislator of the Year: Delegate Karen Toles, District 25
Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores Advocate of the Year: Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk, District 21
Louis L. Goldstein Service Award: Marshall Klein, Klein’s ShopRite
Maryland Retailers Alliance Retail Theft Prevention Award: Kyle Graser, Target

“Thank you to every single elected official who listened to our concerns, worked with us, sponsored amendments, and supported us on these very important issues,” said Cailey Locklair, MRA President. “Thank you to our members, the retail industry and many businesses that are the backbone of our communities. Lifting your voices up and helping solve problems to ensure your businesses can thrive – it truly is an honor.”

The Annual Awards presentation also highlighted MRA’s Legislative All-Star Team, members of the legislature whose actions throughout the legislative session support the success of the organization.

About MRA : The Maryland Retailers Alliance is a statewide membership association representing retail businesses of all shapes and sizes throughout Maryland. As the retail community’s major trade association, MRA is a diverse and broad-based organization covering all segments of the retail industry.

Economic Data Has Taken a Dark Turn. That Doesn’t Mean a Crash Is Near.

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 20:04:38 GMT

As excerpted from The New York Times :

Inflation is up and job creation down, but the U.S. economy could still pull through without too much pain.

At the moment, the American economy feels a little bit like a hot August afternoon. The air is heavy and still, as lightning flashes on the horizon. The storm could sweep through and leave destruction in its wake. It could set in for a brief drizzle.

Or it could pass by in the distance, and take its fury elsewhere.

In this very humid metaphor, the electricity in the sky is the steep tariffs that President Trump has now imposed on most goods coming into the United States. It’s also his strict immigration curbs, mass firings of government employees and the pullback in government spending.

Economists have been waiting for that multifaceted storm system to start showing up in the economic data. The signs are now unmistakable, but the severity of the impact remains unclear.

---

Plenty of indicators suggest inflation and the labor market are headed in the wrong direction.

After slowly sinking back to close-to-normal levels, price growth has sped up again, particularly in categories of goods that are heavily imported and now steeply tariffed. A measure of wholesale prices jumped to the highest level since November 2022.

Spending has held up, particularly among higher-income consumers, according to credit card data analyzed by Bank of America. But that could be an illusion, as people pay more for the same items, or stock up to get ahead of tariffs kicking in.

Cailey Locklair, the president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, said her members had noticed customers accelerating their purchases to take advantage of discounts and sales tax holidays, knowing that price increases are probably around the corner.

“Shoppers are very uncertain about what tariffs could mean,” Ms. Locklair said. “Because of this uncertainty in the market, consumers were spending a lot more in July to start back-to-school early, to mitigate some of this.”

Click here to read this article from The New York Times .

Don’t let tariffs get you down: How to save on back-to-school shopping

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 21:16:07 GMT

As excerpted from The Baltimore Banner :

Kids grow fast and that becomes evident during back-to-school shopping season when parents have to replace pants that now land well above the ankle or shoes that are too tight.

But this year, parents are being a little more frugal as they replace too-small clothes along with pencils, crayons and folders crushed at the bottom of book bags decorated with cartoon characters that kids may or may not even like anymore.

“Those concerns surrounding inflation and the impact of tariffs are causing consumers to be a little bit more budget conscious,” said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance. “That’s really what’s impacting some of this spending.”

Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman said President Donald Trump’s steep tariffs , which she characterized as effectively being additional sales taxes for consumers, were particularly ill-timed for families and back-to-school shopping. She said she’s spoken to several retailers who are raising their prices now because they can’t continue to eat costs. And many school supplies cost at least 20% more today than they did pre-pandemic.

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“It’s not just that parents and families feel like prices are higher now,” Lierman said. “They actually are higher now.”

This year, parents and others who care for children are more likely to shop around for the best deals and break brand loyalty — bye, Crayola crayons; hello, Cra-Z-Art. And they’ll be digging for cheaper items at both big box retailers and secondhand stores. They’re also increasingly keeping just the basics in their carts, which they started filling earlier in the summer to take advantage of deals and spread out spending.

They can expect to say these things a lot more: “No,” “Put that back,” and “I don’t care if your friend got it, we’re sticking to the list.”

Maryland merchants aren’t bracing for any major spending declines, said Locklair, who represents big and small retailers across the state. Still, stores are offering deals or matching prices of competitors to reach parents who are getting pickier with their dollars.

Click here to read the full article from The Baltimore Banner .

Maryland's tax-free week encourages local shopping, provides financial relief to families

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 21:11:59 GMT

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Grocers warn SNAP cuts will wreck revenues, close stores, and starve vulnerable communities

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 19:55:23 GMT

As excerpted from The Baltimore Sun :

Grocers and food policy researchers are sounding alarms that looming federal food stamp cuts could gut store revenues, trigger layoffs and shutter local independent stores.

The changes to the federal food stamp program — officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP — could potentially cause about 3,800 SNAP state retailers to experience a downturn in the next few years and affect hundreds of thousands of Marylanders’ ability to afford groceries.

The program cuts passed in the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” grocers say, could cause their customers to lose their eligibility, limit their spending power and harm vulnerable communities. Supporters, however, said the law promotes work and program integrity.

In fiscal year 2025, Baltimore City had, on average, about 147,300 participants in SNAP, according to June 2025 Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) . About 693,5000 Marylanders, or 11% of the population on average , receive SNAP monthly.

In fiscal year 2027, Maryland’s share of administrative costs for SNAP will increase from 50% to 75%. In fiscal year 2028, the state will pay for SNAP benefits depending on its “error rate,” or how much it over- or underpaid on benefits in past years.

Pedro Silva is one of those grocers whose business could struggle when the new law starts being implemented. He opened Tex-Mex Corner Deli & Grocery three years ago in the Highlandtown neighborhood in Baltimore, where SNAP recipients can purchase food with their EBT card. Now, he worries that the incoming cuts will slash his profits because he estimates 30% of his sales are from SNAP.

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Maryland’s “brick and mortar shops,” like Silva’s store, would feel the greatest impact of the changes, said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance and Maryland Food Industry Council.

Local grocers already work with a low profit margin of 1% to 3%, Locklair said. If they see fewer consumers and money coming in, it would drastically affect their bottom line and their ability to stay open.

“It’s very, very alarming and very concerning for many retailers,” Locklair said.

Click here to read the full article from The Baltimore Sun .

2025 Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week details announced

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 19:52:59 GMT

As posted by NottinghamMD.com :

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Maryland shoppers will get a break on the state’s 6% sales tax for one week this month on certain clothing and school-related items, Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman announced Tuesday.

The annual sales tax holiday, known as Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week , will run from Sunday, August 10, through Saturday, August 16. During this period, consumers can purchase clothing and footwear priced under $100 without paying the sales tax. The first $40 of the purchase price for backpacks will also be exempt from the tax.

“As costs continue to go up, shopping during the sales tax holiday is a great way to keep money in the pockets of hardworking Marylanders and help their budgets go further,” Lierman said in a statement. She encouraged residents to shop within the state to support local businesses.

The sales tax holiday, established by state law in 2007, is timed to help families with back-to-school shopping.

Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, highlighted the economic benefits of the event. “By shopping local and tax-free, we invest in our neighborhoods, strengthen our economy, and ensure a bright and affordable future for everyone,” Locklair said.

Additional information can be found on the Shop Maryland Tax Free webpage here and an FAQ is available here (PDF) .

How SNAP changes could impact grocers

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 19:49:32 GMT

As excerpted from Grocery Dive :

Grocers are facing a bevy of incoming SNAP changes from the spending and tax bill President Donald Trump signed into law earlier this month and from a handful of states that recently received permission to make select items like candy and soda ineligible for SNAP spending.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act that Trump signed includes $186 billion in SNAP cuts over 10 years, said Stephanie Johnson, group vice president of government relations and political affairs at the National Grocers Association. That cut is mainly tied to altered eligibility requirements that are projected to reduce the number of consumers who can use the food assistance program, Johnson said.

Some of the major changes to SNAP in the tax bill include:

Expanding SNAP eligibility work requirements to include parents with children ages 14 and older and people under age 65 (up from 55).
Limiting SNAP eligibility to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents and excluding certain immigrant groups like refugees and people seeking asylum.
Eliminating the National Education and Obesity Prevention Grant program, known as SNAP-Ed.
Requiring cost neutrality for the Thrifty Food Plan, which the USDA uses to determine SNAP benefit amounts.
Requiring states starting in fiscal year 2027 to pay 75% of SNAP administration costs instead of splitting with the federal government.
Requiring states starting in fiscal 2028 to pay for SNAP benefits depending on their “error rate.”

---

The “wild card” facing grocers is how states’ error rates and the shifting costs of SNAP funding may affect grocers, Johnson said. States with error rates at or above 6% will be required to pay a portion of the benefit costs, ranging from 5% to 15%, depending on the error rate. Over the last 20 years, every state except South Dakota has had an error rate above 6% for at least one year, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities .

“This is going to be hard to tell what the impact will be there,” Johnson said. “It will be dependent on the state’s error rates, their budget and other variables.”

While states don’t have the authority to reduce the benefit amount that participants receive each month, they do have the flexibility to remove participants through policy changes, Johnson said. That is more likely to happen in states with higher error rates that have trouble squaring the costs of the SNAP program within their state budgets. Maryland is a state with an error rate “that is on the higher side,” said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance.

Click here to read the full article from Grocery Dive .

Maryland farmers hopeful, food groups worried about tariffs on Mexican tomatoes

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:24:47 GMT

As excerpted from The Baltimore Sun :

George Zahradka, a third-generation farm owner in Essex, mostly sells directly from his farm stand or to nearby restaurants. With new tariffs on tomatoes from Mexico falling during Maryland’s tomato season, he’s hopeful that more people will make the switch to local produce.

“If you can grab a really good tomato or a very bland tomato for the same price, which one would you take?” Zahradka said.

Nationwide, tomato prices are expected to rise this week as the United States imposes a 17.09% import tax on tomatoes from Mexico, which Maryland farmers expect will bring some demand for locally-grown tomatoes.

The anti-dumping duty was announced on Monday, as the U.S. Department of Commerce said the country withdrew from a 2019 agreement with Mexico regarding fresh tomato sales. The Tomato Suspension Agreement, originally signed in 1996, provided some stability to the tomato market. A version of this decades-long agreement expired during President Donald Trump’s first term and was renewed in 2019, requiring tomatoes from Mexico to go under U.S. inspection and adhere to minimum prices for tomatoes.

However, the Trump administration now says that importers in Mexico are selling tomatoes at an unfair rate, also known as dumping, leading to the administration’s withdrawal.

The Trump administration is also threatening 30% tariffs on all goods from Mexico and other countries, which could start in August.

Even as farmers hope for more local purchases, food industry groups told The Baltimore Sun that the tariffs will be most felt by grocery store shoppers and restaurants, as many won’t be able to easily switch from their typical suppliers.

...

In a statement, the National Restaurant Association told The Sun that American restaurants rely on a steady flow of imported produce, including tomatoes, that cannot be grown at the same level in the United States. The statement added that the association is pushing the Trump administration to “pursue policies that will secure fair trade agreements while ensuring the supply chain.”

The longstanding agreements on tomato imports have provided stability for growers and consumers, said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, which represents the Maryland Food Industry Council. The duty may also impact American jobs transporting tomatoes, she said.

“Cost increases will occur. Businesses, consumers are concerned,” Locklair said. “In grocery, a lot of pricing is out of our control, but this will impact that for consumers.”

Click here to read the full article from The Baltimore Sun .

State officials, advocates map out a grim future for food benefits under federal cuts to SNAP

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 23:30:41 GMT

A s excerpted from Maryland Matters :

It won’t happen immediately, but advocates and state officials are predicting that changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the budget reconciliation bill signed last week will deliver “a devastating blow” to many of the 680,000 Marylanders who get SNAP benefits.

The biggest change that recipients will see are new work requirements for some able-bodied recipients that analysts say many Marylanders simply will not be able to meet, for a number of reasons.

The bill also includes a massive shift in costs from the federal to the state governments. Currently, the split administrative costs for the program 50/50 and the federal government pays for all the costs of the actual benefit.

Beginning next year, states will pay 75% of administration, at a cost of $172.5 million, according to estimates from the Maryland Department of Human Services. A year later, they will pay for up to 15% of the actual benefits, according to a formula based on current performance. Maryland will pay the most, 15%, at a cost in current dollars of $240 million.

The bill also caps future benefit increases at the rate of inflation and limits eligibility to citizens and lawful permanent residents; refugees and asylum-seekers would be kicked off the program.

The Urban Institute estimated this month that about 369,000 Maryland families would lose some or all SNAP benefits. Of those, 81,000 would lose an average of $150 a month — the current average monthly benefit in Maryland is $180 — and 51,000 families with children would lose and average of $81 a month.

...

SNAP cuts could also affect some businesses in the state: For groceries that get a significant amount of their business from SNAP recipients, the reductions could pose a threat.

Maryland Retailers Alliance President Cailey Locklair said there’s no indication yet whether that will happen. But any reduction in consumer spending could have a serious impact on grocers, she said, given the industry’s low average profit margins of 3% or less.

“I have some retailers where the majority of the revenue that’s coming in is from individuals who are receiving benefits,” Locklair said. “So the sheer viability of some of those brick-and-mortar retailers in communities that are underserved is going to be contingent on the same level of spending going on.”

Click here to read the full article from Maryland Matters .

Extreme heat tests Maryland’s new workplace regulations

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 20:08:24 GMT

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How Maryland lobbyists influenced debate on taxes, alcohol in grocery stores, other business interests

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 15:48:07 GMT

As excerpted from The Baltimore Sun:

Lobbyists and advocates looking to wield their influence with Maryland officials — with a record $58 million behind them — saw both wins and losses this year in Annapolis.

For the viewing public, it’s sometimes difficult to discern one from the other.

The Baltimore Sun analyzed data from thousands of new lobbying disclosures , reviewed other public records and interviewed individuals to understand where lobbyists and advocates tried to put their fingers on the scale in the months before and during the 90-day session that ended in April.

...

Another business group, the Maryland Retailers Alliance, became the third-largest lobbying entity this year, with total expenses of $625,190.

Cailey Locklair, its president and top lobbyist, said retailers’ top priority was a success — the creation of a new felony-level “organized retail theft” crime for property with an aggregate value of more than $1,500.

Two other high-profile goals gained little traction.

One aimed to adjust the Maryland Online Data Privacy Act, which lawmakers passed in 2024 to limit the amount of personal data that companies can collect. Locklair said the law went too far, severely limiting how retailers can target ads to potential customers.

The other was the repeal of Maryland’s ban on beer, wine and liquor being sold in supermarkets and other retail establishments. All four of the new lobbyists hired by the Retailers Alliance this year, in their disclosures to the State Ethics Commission that showed they were collectively paid $119,000, only listed those bills as their focus.

Moore said in December he supported the change and indicated he was confident lawmakers would send him a bill. Senate President Bill Ferguson soon dampened those expectations, saying in an interview with The Sun in January that it was “not something that we’re going to be spending a lot of brain power trying to figure out.”

Legislation in both chambers never received even an initial committee vote. Locklair acknowledged the “very strong lobby on the other side” — referring to groups like the Maryland State Licensed Beverage Association, whose $144,000 in lobbying expenses was about $36,000 more than the previous year. But the support from the governor and increased conversation this year was a good sign, she said.

“Absolutely we will be bringing it back,” Locklair said. “I think there’s a lot of momentum on this and a lot of positive conversations taking place.”

Click here to read the full article from The Baltimore Sun .

Baltimore County Council votes against environmental fund financed by paper bag fee

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 18:53:39 GMT

As excerpted from The Baltimore Sun:

A Baltimore County Council bill that would have created an environmental enhancement fund partially financed with money retailers charge for paper bags failed Monday night.

The legislation would have required retailers to give the county a minimum of 2 cents from each 5-cent fee collected from distributing paper or reusable bags. The money collected would have gone to a fund that could have been used to give grants to groups for cleaning waterways or picking up litter.

...

The Maryland Retailers Alliance opposed the bill, not because it disliked the concept of an environmental education and enhancement fund, but because it opposed reducing the amount retained by retailers, putting Baltimore County businesses at a disadvantage.

“Maintaining the fee as-is provides transparency for customers because they know what they’re paying for — they’re paying for that bag,” Sarah Price, the alliance’s vice president of communications and government affairs, said at an April work session. “It reduces competition between businesses and it ensures that the mandate is paid for by the people who choose to continue using single-use bags.”

Click here to read the full article from The Baltimore Sun.

Tariffs continue to worry Maryland businesses reliant on Asian imports

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 16:03:45 GMT

Maryland businesses relying on imports from Asian countries continue to worry, even with President Donald Trump putting a hold on most of his sweeping tariff plan.

While a 125% tariff is now on goods from China , only a 10% universal tariff is in effect for virtually all countries.

The reciprocal tariff plan, which pummeled Asian countries the most, is on hold for 90 days.

Tessa & Sons Philippine Market in Glen Burnie helps fill a niche by being the only dedicated Filipino grocery store in the greater Baltimore area.

Theresa Laviano, who has been running the market for about 10 years, but only recently has she been particularly concerned about business.

While the store carries some American products, the majority come from the Philippines and other Asian countries.

"That's the purpose of [the tariffs], to buy American products, but most of our products are imported," Laviano said. "So, if they impose more tariffs...that's the greater impact on the cost of all of the goods."

If tariffs had gone into effect Wednesday as planned, goods from the Philippines would have had another 17% tariff tacked on. Other Asian countries had tariffs as high as 46%.

The manager for Lil' Thingamajigs in Ellicott City told WJZ there's concern about how the tariffs would impact the store's bottom line.

The store's anime, K-Pop, and other Asian pop culture products are heavily imported.

Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, said the Trump administration's tariffs have been a heated topic within her organization and its members.

The Maryland Retailers Alliance advocates for more than 6,000 businesses, ranging from large retailers to small businesses.

Locklair said the tariffs don't do anything to fix inflation, which she calls the biggest issue: inflation.

"The tariffs we're talking aout are extreme, they do not appear to be targeted or strategic," Locklair said. "We really need to think about lowering costs for American families, who have been struggling with inflation and higher prices for too long."

Locklair is calling for policies like the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the USMCA Trade Agreement, both of which were passed and implemented during Trump's first term.

But, until then, Locklair -- and businessowners like Laviano -- are just riding the wave and adapting where they can.

"One at a time, we live day by day," Laviano said.

Click here to read the article from CBS NEWS .

Maryland cracks down on retail theft with new bill

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:25:29 GMT

SILVER SPRING, Md. — This year, the state of Maryland is cracking down on retail theft. Since COVID, retail industry experts have reported a rise in flash mob and smash & grab retail thefts across the country. The D.C. region does not appear to be an exception.

This trend led the state of Maryland to look at harsher penalties to deter would-be thieves.

For the last decade, retail and shoplifting laws in Maryland have seen less severe penalties than other nearby states.

For example, the threshold for retail theft to reach a felony was $1,500 in a single jurisdiction. That meant if a thief stole $1,500 of items between two counties, it would just be a misdemeanor. Misdemeanors can carry prison time, but it’s not mandatory.

Retail experts believe that loophole, combined with several other factors, led to a rise in crime.

“Organized retail crime has grown dramatically, especially in the last 10 years,” said Cailey Locklair from Maryland’s Retail Alliance, which represents all types of shops from big box stores and the grocery chains to the mom-and-pop shops.

“These shops absolutely cannot just file with insurance and insurance reimburses them for the value of goods that are stolen,” she explained.

Locklair said the increase in flash mobs and smash-and-grabs across Maryland rattled retailers.

“When you hear from large retailers what these numbers are [it’s a lot],” she said. “We are talking about millions of dollars [stolen] in Maryland alone for one company.”

This year, Maryland’s lawmakers listened, passing Prince George’s County Democrat Sen. Ron Watson’s organized retail theft law.

“This bill says that if a group of folks steal from multiple stores in several counties, and the aggregate amount of everything stolen is more than $1,500, then everyone gets charged with a felony,” Sen. Watson said. “That charge also includes the cost to repair or replace anything damaged in the robbery attempt. “

“This is a big deal because we know that these rings go from county to county, store to store, and actually do the same thing over and over,” he finished.

Locklair said Maryland isn’t the only state to tighten shoplifting laws.

“Finally, Maryland moved forward, California has already passed this bill before us and so many other blue states had done so as well,” she said.

Lawmakers hope this crackdown can bring down mass retail theft.

Click here to view the interview with WUSA9 .

Maryland Passes Long-Awaited Organized Retail Crime Law to Combat Rising Theft

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 00:13:44 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 2, 2025

Maryland Passes Long-Awaited Organized Retail Crime Law to Combat Rising Theft

Annapolis, MD – After nearly a decade of advocacy, the Maryland General Assembly has officially passed a landmark Organized Retail Crime (ORC) law , equipping law enforcement and retailers with the tools needed to combat sophisticated retail theft operations. The new law creates a clear definition of organized retail crime , enables statewide data collection , and allows theft to be aggregated across jurisdictions – closing a critical loophole long exploited by criminals.

For years, organized retail crime has plagued Maryland businesses, with criminals strategically jumping from jurisdiction to jurisdiction to stay below the state’s $1,500 felony theft threshold and evade serious charges. This legislation, HB179/SB11, ensures that law enforcement and prosecutors can track repeat offenders, combine offenses across counties, and pursue stronger penalties against those orchestrating these crimes.

“Retailers across Maryland have been sounding the alarm on organized retail crime for years,” said Cailey Locklair, President of the Maryland Retailers Alliance. “This law is a game-changer. It finally gives law enforcement the ability to treat organized retail theft as the serious crime it is, rather than a series of unrelated incidents.”

Organized retail crime has become a growing threat nationwide, impacting large chains, small businesses, and consumers alike . Stolen goods often end up being resold in illicit markets, fueling larger criminal enterprises. By defining organized retail crime in state law and enhancing tracking capabilities , Maryland joins a growing number of states taking decisive action to protect businesses, employees, and communities.

“This is a major victory for public safety and economic stability in Maryland,” said House sponsor Delegate Karen Toles. “With this new law, we’re sending a clear and concise message: organized retail crime will no longer go unchecked in our state.”

The passage of this law marks a significant step forward in Maryland’s fight against retail theft, ensuring stronger accountability for repeat offenders and greater protections for businesses and consumers .

###

Contact: Cailey Locklair

317-397-1918

clocklair@mdra.org

MD business community rails against proposed 2.5% services tax

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 15:30:34 GMT

ANNAPOLIS — As Maryland’s business community rails against a proposed tax on business-to-business services, top Democrats in the legislature have framed the proposal as just one of several options for raising the revenue needed to avoid drastic cuts to vital government services.

Company executives, business owners, advocacy organizations and industry groups on Monday descended on Annapolis in an attempt to beat back the proposal, which would levy a 2.5% tax on services between businesses.

State analysts have projected that the tax would raise more than $940 million next fiscal year and nearly $1.3 billion in the following fiscal year at a time when the state is staring down a more than $3 billion deficit that is projected to double in the coming years.

But opponents, including Republican legislators, have claimed the tax would jack up prices paid by consumers, chase businesses from the state, prompt large companies to reconsider having assets in Maryland, force small businesses to lay off staff or shutter altogether, and generally hinder the state’s already stagnant economic growth.

“We have heard over and over and over again, especially this legislative session, that Maryland needs to grow its economy,” Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, said during a news conference Wednesday.

“This tax, on top of tax proposal after tax proposal and years and years of costly mandate after costly mandate aimed directly at the business community, that sends the exact opposite message,” she said.

At a time of rising concern about a potential state-based recession, Democrats have said that revenue raised from this tax could preclude cuts to Medicaid and government programs and services for people with disabilities, foster care, and veterans, among others.

During a hearing Wednesday, House Majority Leader David Moon said he chose to introduce the tax on services between businesses as an option for balancing the budget along with what is likely to be at least $2.5 billion in cuts.

Gov. Wes Moore has introduced an expansive tax reform package, but several parts of his plan haven’t received the support they need in the legislature.

Lawmakers have also considered legalizing online casino gaming, which could eventually raise hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, but top state senators and the governor have been weary about how such a measure would exacerbate problem gambling, among other concerns.

Since introducing the business-to-business tax, Democrats have appeared open to including carve outs for some types of businesses, including sole proprietors, and it remains to be seen whether they’d be open to lowering the proposed tax rate.

Legislators have laid out more than a dozen categories of business-to-business services to which the tax would apply, though it remains to be seen exactly which business types will be subject to paying the tax.

The proposal has also garnered some powerful opposition, including from companies like Under Armour, Northrop Grumman and McCormick & Company.

Paul Nolan, McCormick’s vice president of tax, government affairs and strategic real estate, said during Wednesday’s hearing that the proposed tax would “encourage those of us here to consider other locations to receive any of the services that are taxed here.”

Click here to view the article from The Daily Record .

'In some cases, they will have to close': Opposition grows against proposed business-to-business tax

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 15:24:45 GMT

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Opposition is building against a proposed tax on business-to-business services.

Around 400 people signed up in protest of the proposed legislation in Annapolis on Wednesday.

Supporters said it would raise $1 billion in revenue and help shrink the state's $3 billion budget deficit .

Legislators introduced the bill last week, stressing they need more options in the final stretch of budget negotiations.

"This is an assault on Maryland small business, plain and simple," said Bill Chambers with the National Federation of Independent Business.

"Tax would threaten the viability of existing business," said Cailey Locklear [sic], president of the Maryland Retailers Association.

The small business community rallied to oppose a 2.5% tax on business-to-business services.

"This isn't just a business issue. It's a jobs issue," said Mary Kane, president and CEO of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. "It's an economic development issue, and it's a consumer issue that will affect every Maryland resident through higher prices and reduced services."

"They will reduce staff hours. They will lay off employees. They will cancel expansion plans. They will raise prices, and, in some cases, they will have to close," Locklear [sic] said.

"This bill is a tax compliance itself. Hire a CPA to ensure you are meeting your tax obligation, now taxed. Paying for payroll services to ensure your employees are paid appropriately on time, taxed. Bring in a consultant and new software to implement this very bill, now taxed," said Rebecca Olson, CEO of the Maryland Association of CPAs.\

The House Ways and Means Committee gaveled in testimony for and against the measure Wednesday, with 123 people signed up to testify. More than 400 registered their opposition.

Those opposed to the tax even gathered outside the hearing room to watch on a TV monitor.

The bill's sponsor, House Majority Leader David Moon, D-District 20, pointed out that the $2 billion in cuts and $1 billion in tax reform already on the table aren't enough to balance the budget.

Moon said freezes in federal spending and the ongoing purge of federal workers are an additional burden.

"It seems to me, with the floor falling out of our fiscal ship, that we need more options," Moon said.

If passed, House GOP lawmakers want the governor to veto the bill.

"We need to see some leadership from the top. We need the governor to come out and say he's opposed to this," said House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy, R-District 4.

"Unfortunately, (Gov. Wes Moore) is noticeably absent from this conversation. He has stated time and again that growing Maryland's economy is his top priority while specifically touting investments in the life science and technology sectors, yet he is quietly standing by while fellow Democrats are poised to introduce this new tax and crush the very industries he's promoting. Maryland's private-sector business community needs the Governor (to) focus on the economic growth (for) our state and end his silence by forcefully opposing this brand new tax on services," Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey, R-District 36, said in a news release.

The bill sponsor and Senate president said it's a tough balance right now. There are no good choices, only challenging ones.

When asked about whether Moore supports the tax, senior press secretary Carter Elliott said:

"Governor Moore is proud to have proposed a budget that provides a tax cut for two-thirds of all Marylanders while also lowering the corporate tax rate and eliminating Maryland's unique burden as the only state in the country with both an estate and an inheritance tax.

"The governor will continue to work with the State Legislature, local leaders, and all partners involved to ensure that we pass a budget that will give middle class families a break, grow our economy, and protect and invest in our people."

Click here to view the article from WBALTV11 .

Some Maryland lawmakers want to tax sugary beverages. Businesses aren’t so sweet on it.

Sat, 08 Mar 2025 02:20:54 GMT

In an effort to address Maryland’s growing budget deficit , two Democratic lawmakers are considering a tax on sugary beverage distributors — a proposal that has sparked controversy among Republicans and retailers.

House Bill 1469, sponsored by Montgomery County Del. Emily Shetty and Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk, who represents Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties, would add a 2-cent-per-ounce excise tax on the distributors of sugary beverages, powders or syrups.

Revenue from the proposed sugary beverage distributor tax is projected to generate $500 million in fiscal 2027, nearly half of which would be distributed to funds for healthy school meals and child care scholarships. Most of the remaining portion would go to the state’s general fund, though a new amendment could provide a health equity fund with about $15 million.

...

Opponents, however, argued that the proposed tax was anti-business and could prompt some Marylanders to drive to different jurisdictions to purchase sugary beverages instead.

Sarah Price, vice president of communications and government affairs for the Maryland Retailers Alliance, said the sugary beverage distributor tax, as well as other bills up for deliberation by the legislature, don’t present Maryland as an “economically viable option for expansion.”

“This bill would not only incentivize customers to leave the state to shop but also disincentivizes businesses from investing here when they know that they can make more and save more money by locating directly across the border in our neighboring states,” she said.

Marshall Klein, president of Klein ShopRite of Maryland, which owns and operates nine grocery stores in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Harford County, said Shetty’s legislation was not a soda bill — it’s a tax on people who don’t have other options.

“This is a group of progressive legislators trying to get a revenue option and tell people what they should and what they shouldn’t drink and how they should and how they shouldn’t live,” he said. “And what that’s going to do is take money out of the mouths of these families and impact their ability to continue to shop and provide for their families by purchasing other healthy foods.”

Supporters call for passing of Bottle Bill to encourage recycling habits

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 17:34:41 GMT

State lawmakers are looking to put Mr. Trash Wheel on a diet by considering a bill that would add bottle deposits to single-serve containers.

Consumers who return the bottles would get that money back. Supporters hope the bill will serve as an incentive to recycle so that fewer bottles end up in our waterways.

According to the Container Recycling Institute, Marylanders buy 5.5 billion bottles each year, but only a quarter of the containers get recycled. The legislation considers the refundable deposit as an incentive to recycle.

Less than 10% of that is being recycled. We think this bill will allow up to 75% of that to be recycled,” said Baltimore County Sen. Benjamin Brooks, D-District 10.

The belly of Baltimore’s iconic Mr. Trash Wheel is often bursting with bottles.

A giant metal rockfish sculpture is stuffed with some of the material Mr. Trash Wheel gobbles up. There are discarded plastic, glass and metal beverage containers — none of which was recycled.

That’s the point of the Bottle Bill, which drew dozens of supporters Friday to a rally on Lawyers Mall.

The Bottle Bill adds a 10-15 cent refundable deposit on beverage containers. Consumers pay the deposit upfront. But when they return the empty bottle to a store, reverse vending machine or drop-off point, they get the money back.

“The goal is to get all this excess plastic out of our waste stream. And we are trying to create a mechanism for consumers to do that,” Brooks said.

“It is to address a serious and complex problem, which is trash and pollution. So, we need a Bottle Bill,” said Chris Williams, with the Anacostia Watershed Society.

According to bill supporters, four billion containers are tossed into the environment.

“As a doctor, I am asking all of us to act now so we can safeguard our collective health,” said Dr. Elizabeth Ryznar, a psychiatrist. “We need to reduce the amount of plastics in our environment and we need to reduce the amount of plastics contaminating our soil and our water.”

“Passing the bottle bill is not just an environmental imperative. It is not just a health imperative. It is a moral imperative,” said Bob Simon, with Maryland Catholics for Our Common Home.

The bill calls for non-refunded money to go into a fund that provides recycling grants to help local jurisdictions develop recycling plans.

The Maryland Retailers Association opposes the bill, calling it a regressive tax. The association said it saddles businesses with space limitations on returns and creates sanitation issues.

Click here to review the article from WBAL .

Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman Visits Local Retailer Ahead of Shop Maryland Energy Weekend State to waive 6% sales tax on qualifying appliances February 15 - February 17, 2025

Sat, 15 Feb 2025 20:36:51 GMT

JESSUP, Md. (February 14, 2025) — Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman Friday marked the kick-off of Shop Maryland Energy Weekend with a visit to the ABW Appliances showroom in Jessup, Maryland. Shop Maryland Energy, which begins at 12:01 a.m. on February 15, 2025, and runs through 11:59 p.m. on February 17, 2025, is an opportunity for Marylanders to buy qualifying energy-efficient appliances without paying the state’s 6% sales tax.

“If you are looking to purchase a new appliance, Shop Maryland Energy Weekend is an ideal time to make that big purchase to save upfront while also long-term savings on your energy bill and decreasing your impact on the environment. These benefits are valuable, especially as Marylanders are paying more for necessities, including gas and electricity,” Comptroller Lierman said . “This sales tax holiday is designed to encourage Marylanders to make the switch to more energy-efficient appliances. Each purchase brings us closer to reducing our environmental impact and reaching our climate goals.”

Comptroller Lierman was joined by Ryan Simon, CEO of ABW Appliances, and Lori Kleppin, director of membership and external affairs for the Howard County Chamber of Commerce.

During Shop Maryland Energy weekend some manufacturers, retailers, and utility companies may offer additional incentives for the purchase of qualifying products.

“We appreciate the tax-free incentives provided by Shop Maryland Energy Weekend and the business it drives for Maryland businesses at this time of year,” Maryland Retailers Alliance President Cailey Locklair shared. “This is a winning proposition for customers, retailers, and the environment, and we are proud to support the Comptroller and Maryland businesses in this effort.”

Eligible ENERGY STAR appliances include: air conditioners, washers and dryers, standard size refrigerators, furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers and programmable thermostats. Solar water heaters are tax-exempt year-round. To receive the ENERGY STAR label , a product must meet strict standards for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The tax-free weekend for energy-efficient appliances began in 2011 and there are estimates Maryland loses $800,000 in direct sales and tax revenue on eligible purchases every year.

Marylanders can learn more about Shop Maryland Energy Weekend by viewing the  Frequently Asked Questions . 

Maryland restaurants aren't going out of business fast enough, lawmakers in Annapolis say

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 02:14:02 GMT

Maryland's restaurants aren't going out of business fast enough, lawmakers in the state's capital of Annapolis say, and a pair of Democrats in the legislature have a plan to speed up the process. On top of previous hikes to the state's minimum wage, which have been a factor in many restaurant closures and staff reductions statewide, their new bill would create a 2026 ballot question asking voters to approve a minimum wage of $20-an-hour. If approved by voters, the question would also force restaurant owners to pay that $20 wage to tipped workers, as well. The bill is expected to be taken up by the Democrat-controlled Maryland House and Senate next month.

Montgomery County was the vanguard of the proletariat in the effort to raise the minimum wage in the previous decade. The Montgomery County Council was warned by business owners, the Maryland Retailers Association, and the Restaurant Association of Maryland that a significant wage increase would put many enterprises out of business. Their predictions came to pass, as Montgomery's already-moribund economy was slammed by the higher wage requirements, higher taxes and new regulations, and the Council's disastrous "Nighttime Economy" initiative that ended up destroying the nighttime economy. Bars, stores, and restaurants that had endured for thirty or fifty years, serving multiple generations of Montgomery County residents, were suddenly closing left and right.

The nightlife scene in Bethesda looks starkly different from what it was prior to the last decade. In fact, you can't really look at it at all, because it no longer exists. Along with record numbers of restaurant failures countywide, at least 24 nightspots closed in Bethesda alone. Downtown Bethesda's streets are now dark and lonesome after 9:00 PM.

Click here to read the full post from Robert Dyer.

Maryland must address organized retail theft

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 01:47:38 GMT

Maryland must address organized retail theft | GUEST COMMENTARY

Professional, organized thieves swooping into stores in groups to steal high-demand items to sell on the black market. Sounds preposterous? It’s not. News reports in Maryland and across the country confirm what all of us are experiencing in our daily lives, which is that the number and frequency of retail theft events in stores is increasing at an alarming pace. In fact, it is now an over $100 billion problem in the United States alone.

Employees who try to stop violent thieves risk injury to themselves and nearby customers, and some have even died . Marylanders shouldn’t have to put up with danger and chaos just to go to work or run errands.

Organized theft is no petty crime; these are not one-off crimes of desperation or a mom lifting a can of formula to feed her baby. These are professionals stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of items at a time. Typically, organized rings coordinate and plan thefts on a large scale, identifying high-demand merchandise with high resale value — think over-the-counter medicine, baby formula and laundry detergent, designer sunglasses, power tools and even spools of copper wire.

They move from store to store, crossing county and state lines and often using stolen vehicles for their getaway car. Aisles are swarmed, a cart is loaded up and pushed out the door past employees, merchandise is quickly moved into the car and the group disperses before police can arrive. Sound like something out of a movie? Unfortunately, it is just another day for Maryland retailers both large and small. With legislation, however, we can fight back.

For almost a decade, the Maryland Retailers Alliance has advocated for policies before the Maryland General Assembly to address organized theft, first in the form of task forces and now a bill to close a loophole in the law that allows crime rings to steal thousands of dollars’ worth of goods in crime sprees across the state without facing felony theft charges. This loophole impacts retailers statewide, and Sen. Ron Watson and Del. Karen Toles from Prince George’s County have stepped up to spearhead the legislation. The proposal moved unanimously in both chambers for the first time in 2024, but only after a legislative “crossover” deadline preventing the bill from crossing the finish line. In the meantime, in 2024, California passed a retail theft package going far beyond Maryland’s proposed modest legislation. Thankfully, S.B. 11/H.B. 179 was pre-filed for 2025 and was heard in the respective committees on Jan. 21. We strongly encourage the public to let legislators know about their support.

To date, 37 states, both blue and red including every state surrounding Maryland, have passed laws addressing the issue of organized retail crime. Many states now have multiple statutes on the books ranging from mandated coordination for easier prosecution, task forces, funding, harsher penalties and the creation of new crimes to distinguish between petty and professional theft. Until now, Maryland has been left in the dust with communities watching anchor stores, grocery stores and pharmacies close leaving consumers with a lack of access to basic needs. Unfortunately, Maryland continues to grow as a target area due to our high felony theft threshold, prohibition on charge aggregation across jurisdictional lines and proximity to the Port of Baltimore and Interstates 95 and 81.

Legislators again have an opportunity this year to protect consumers and the retailers who serve their communities. S.B. 11 and H.B. 179 would give our police and prosecutors powerful new tools to fight back against the worst perpetrators who commit large thefts. We don’t have to put up with it. It is time for Maryland to take action and pass this bill to address organized retail crime.

Del. Karen Toles ( karen.toles@house.state.md.us ) is a Democratic delegate representing District 25 of Prince George’s County. Cailey Locklair is president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance.

Click here to view the editorial on The Baltimore Sun .

New legislation would increase minimum wage in Maryland, make tips tax-free

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 16:54:23 GMT

Maryland’s state minimum wage could be on the way up once again. Lawmakers have a plan Thursday to not only increase the minimum wage but also make tips tax-free. Maryland voters will eventually get to decide if this happens — possibly as soon as next month — but some business groups are already warning that the move could hurt them.

State lawmakers in Annapolis introduced the legislation Thursday. If passed, a constitutional amendment would go before voters in November 2026.

Maryland’s minimum wage went up to $15 an hour back in July but this bill raises it to $20 in five years. It also phases out the state’s tipped wage of $3.63/hour and will give tipped workers full minimum wage, but they can keep tips tax-free.

Prince George’s County Del. Adrian Boafo is the sponsor.

"Prices at restaurants have gone up, people have experienced that in the pocket but the reality is when workers haven’t experienced a raise in a long time so it’s time for us to give them a raise," Boafo said.

But not everyone is happy about this. some business groups are gearing up to fight this proposal. Just last week, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said the state’s economy wasn’t growing fast enough.

Businesses and restaurants say they’re already struggling in a sluggish economy, and higher wages won’t help. Cailey Locklair is the president of the Maryland Retail Alliance.

"Listen Maryland employers are at a breaking point! And when you look at all of the mandated increases and fees of the past couple of years what’s being considered," Locklair said.

This minimum wage hike could wind up being one of the biggest fights in Annapolis this year. Joint hearings between Maryland’s House of Delegates and Senate are expected to be held in February.

Click here to view the article on Fox5 .

Maryland lawmakers take on retail theft

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 16:51:14 GMT

In Annapolis, Maryland lawmakers were taking aim at retail theft.Since 2020, smash and grabs, shoplifting, and petty theft at stores has risen.

In 2024 Capital One reported the latest nationwide numbers and Maryland retailers saw more than $1 Billion in revenue lost in 2022. (The most recent numbers)

“Customers have to get an attendant to unlock some plexiglass to get something because the store is trying to mitigate theft and loss,” State Sen. Ron Watson, a Democrat from Prince George's County said. “Eventually, they’ll go somewhere else to shop.”

This year Sen. Watson sponsored a bill aimed at curbing retail theft.

Currently in Maryland, retail theft is only a felony if you steal more than $1,500 worth of goods in one jurisdiction.

Watson’s bill takes aim at several angles. It would allow prosecutors to tie in all thefts over a 90-day period for a felony.

Watson said it would allow prosecutors to tie in thefts from other states and counties. It also hammers down on people who steal multiple times from the same store.

“We've worked with law enforcement to track these individuals to their apartments,” Watson said. “Sometimes they will have a whole retail store inside of their apartments, so this is not about people trying to put food on their table.”

Tuesday, Sen. Watson’s bill had its first Judicial Proceedings Committee hearing in Annapolis.

Several county prosecutors testified in support of the bill. They were joined by Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association.

“Between 2023 and 2024 alone, 37 pharmacies closed across the state in many of your communities and many more will occur,” Locklair testified.

The CVS in Bowie Plaza was one of these recent closures. Local lawmakers said when company leaders shuttered the location back in December, they told CVS officials that retail theft played a big role in their decision.

Once a place for prescriptions, turned into an empty store front. Watson said he feels the closure has left a hole in the community’s confidence.

“It's not always about what the metrics tell you about whether crime is going up and going down,” Watson said. “It's about perception and if the residents don't feel safe, don't feel comfortable, then there's something we need to do to change that.”

After an encouraging committee hearing, Sen. Watson’s bill was still alive and moving through the State House on Tuesday.

Click here to view the piece from WUSA9 .

New shoplifting data explains why they’re locking up the toothpaste

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 21:50:02 GMT

Shoplifting rates in the three largest U.S. cities — New York, Los Angeles and Chicago — remain higher than they were before the pandemic, according to a report last month from the nonpartisan research group Council on Criminal Justice.

The sharp rise in retail theft in recent years has made shoplifting a hot-button issue, especially for politicians looking to address public safety concerns in their communities.

Since 2020, when viral videos of smash-and-grab robberies flooded social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans have expressed fears that crime is out of control. Polls show that perceptions have improved recently, but a majority of Americans still say crime is worse than in previous years.

...

Policy experts say shoplifting and organized retail theft can significantly harm critical industries, drive up costs for consumers and reduce sales tax revenue for states. Those worries have driven recent state-level action to boost penalties for shoplifting.

...

In New Jersey, a bipartisan bill making its way through the legislature would increase penalties for leading a shoplifting ring and allow extended sentences for repeat offenders.

“This bill is going after a formally organized band of criminals that deliver such destruction to a critical business in our community. We have to act. We have to create a deterrence,” Democratic Assemblymember Joseph Danielsen, one of the bill’s prime sponsors, said in an interview with Stateline.

The legislation would allow extended sentences for people convicted of shoplifting three times within 10 years or within 10 years of their release from prison, and would increase penalties to 10 to 20 years in prison for leading a retail crime ring.

The bill also would allow law enforcement to aggregate the value of stolen goods over the course of a year to charge serial shoplifters with more serious offenses. Additionally, the bill would increase penalties for assaults committed against retail workers, and would require retailers to train employees on detecting gift card scams.

Maryland legislators considered a similar bill during this year’s legislative session that would have defined organized retail theft and made it a felony.

The bill didn’t make it out of committee, but Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, said the group plans to propose a bill during next year’s legislative session that would target gift card fraud.

Click here to read the full article from the New Jersey Monitor.

‘Robust Holiday Shopping Season’ Forecast For This Year

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 20:23:13 GMT

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Small But Mighty Maryland Making Name For Itself In Supermarket Industry

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 20:21:02 GMT

As the new year approaches, several legislative proposals stand to impact Maryland residents and businesses. The Griffin Report recently visited with Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance , to find out more about what’s in store for 2025.

Locklair has spent nearly 20 years in state and local politics, advocating on the state budget, labor issues, retail crime and taxes on behalf of the alliance. For her efforts, Locklair – who also heads the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores, and the Maryland Food Industry Council – recently received the 2024 J. Thomas Weyant Award from the National Retail Federation.

In addition, Locklair is a past chair of the Council of State Retail Associations and a member of the Leadership Maryland Program Class of 2024.

When reviewing the events of the past year, what stands out the most?

The past eight months have been extraordinarily active on the legislative front locally. Maryland now has almost 20 jurisdictions with separate bag laws, and we have seen a variety of bills impacting the industry introduced. Some passed, including shopping cart legislation, electric vehicle-charging station mandates and even regulations on garbage cans. Legislators at the state level have reached out on issues of concern, including food waste and sell-by and use-by dates. Discussions about beer and wine in food retail are ongoing.

It’s been said Maryland is experiencing retail growth. Do you agree?

Yes and no. It depends on where in the state we are talking about. For example, generally speaking, Maryland’s population continues to slowly grow.

So in areas where there is population growth, we have seen quite a few new grocery stores in those areas. However, in areas of the state losing population and struggling with issues like organized retail crime, we have seen some closures with more currently being considered.

Is the growth attracting a disproportionately number of new retailers selling groceries to the state?

Maryland is a chain-heavy state, but we have many thriving independents as well. That said, we are not seeing rapid expansion of any retailers per se, and the newest chain that came into our market occurred in 2018.

What are independent retailers doing to hold onto their share of market?

Regardless of the type of retail format you operate, in-store experiences and in-store sales remain key to attracting consumers in Maryland and elsewhere.

What key issues are poised to impact grocers in 2025?

With the state’s next legislative session starting in January, the industry can expect to see a slew of legislative proposals from new taxes, another increase to the minimum wage, an extended producer responsibility study results and other mandates impacting food retailers.

What role will the Maryland Retailers Alliance play?

Each year, an increasing number of mandates and cost increases are introduced at the legislative level so being involved and lending our voice is critical to mitigating some very damming laws.

Congratulations on being recognized by NRF this year for your two decades of advocacy contributions. Were you surprised?

I was extremely surprised and humbled to be recognized. My colleagues in our industry have been invaluable to the work we do and I’m lucky to call many of them friends.

“Essentially, I just gifted a scammer $100”: Gift card draining costing shoppers and retailers

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 21:38:33 GMT

12 Scams of Christmas

It's one of the most sought after gifts until recipients realize it's worthless. Scammers are finding ways to drain gift card balances right after they're activated.

Alexis Cruz wanted to surprise a family member with a $100 gift card. She picked one off the rack at her local Target and took it home.

“Opened the card so I could put it in a birthday card, only to find that the last four digits of the card number had been scratched off,” said Cruz. “And then you flip it over, there's no CVV code, and you can actually kind of see some discoloration there where they have either scratched it off or put white out. All of this gray that you're seeing is glue.”

The culprit made it so she couldn’t use the gift card in-person or online.

“I couldn't tell that this thing had been tampered with at all,” Cruz said. “Essentially, I just gifted a scammer $100 without even knowing it."

She alerted Target customer service and tried calling Visa.

“I’m out $100. That's not the end of the world, right, but it's the Christmas season. There are going to be families that are purchasing hundreds of dollars’ worth of gift cards. What about the single parents or the families with five or six kids that thought they were giving their kids a good Christmas and have now lost all that money?” Cruz asked.

Last year, consumers reported losing $217 million dollars in gift card fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Retailers are trying to combat it with consumer awareness and secure packaging, but Maryland is now making it mandatory with a new law that passed this year.

"It will provide consumers with signage to keep this top of mind and as a reminder for them when they're shopping to think and look for any sort of tampering with packages. Secondly, when they go to check out with one of our employees, that employee will be mandated to have training around this, so that employee will also be looking for tampering or anything indicating fraud with that gift card. And then finally, and this is the biggest part of the bill, is secure packaging requirements were mandated in the law, so it's really going to change some of these cards that have been in question” said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance.

The law doesn't take effect until October of next year and consumers will still need to look for signs of tampering.

“Look for any strange kind of rips or tears. Make sure it's aligned properly,” said Locklair. “Especially the redemption information, so that pin should be covered on the back of that card.”

Click here to read the full interview with WMAR-2 News.

Police: 4 suspects arrested, indicted in connection with retail theft ring

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 21:41:02 GMT

Maryland's top legal officer announces the takedown of a major retail theft ring on Monday. Four suspects were arrested and indicted in the case, which is being prosecuted in Howard County circuit court.

The four suspects are accused of running a retail theft ring across at least six counties, including Baltimore, Anne Arundel and Howard.

Donte Shaw, Taquan Neal, Samuel Whitmire Jr. and Antonio Polite are accused of targeting retailers like Ulta and Dicks Sporting Goods and shopping centers like Arundel Mills Mall and The Mall in Columbia, police said. The four are accused of stealing at least $800,000 in merchandise during at least 37 different thefts.

Court documents state the group targeted the same Sunglass Hut at The Mall in Columbia four separate times last spring, stealing more than $101,000 of luxury and designer goods.

"Starting with lost sales tax revenue to the state, that's probably one of the big ones for the state and communities to really think about," said Cailey Locklair with the Maryland Retailers Alliance.

The Maryland Retailers Alliance said the kind of criminal activity alleged in the case impacts consumers statewide.

"To increased prices on the goods that we all pay for, and combined with inflation, that should be very concerning for folks," Locklair said.

Click here to read the full article from WBAL-TV .

Property crime rise at Hunt Valley Towne Centre sparks concerns

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 18:45:14 GMT

Hunt Valley Towne Centre has seen a double-digit increase in property crime this year, police data shows.

Crime statistics obtained by FOX45 through a public information request reveal an approximately 18.3% increase in reported property incidents when comparing Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 for the years 2023 and 2024.

There was a small bump in reported robbery, burglary, and theft in the 100 block of Shawan Road in Cockeysville, the location of the Hunt Valley Towne Centre. The outdoor mall’s highest reported crime, shoplifting, increased from 130 incidents in 2023 to 154 in 2024 during the same period.

Meanwhile, credit card and ATM fraud at the shopping center surged by 700%.

Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, told FOX45 that the trends in Hunt Valley illustrate a significant issue facing the future of retail.

“Theft steadily increases year over year nationally and throughout Maryland,” Locklair said. “We know this via individual member numbers they provide to us and a yearly study by the National Retail Federation.”

Click here to read the full article from the Baltimore Sun .

Late-night businesses in Prince George’s County may face new safety regulations

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 18:17:00 GMT

Certain businesses in Prince George’s County may have to step up their security soon.A bill called the Late Night Safety Plan is making its way through the County Council right now - but there are some objections before it passes.

Councilmember Krystal Oriadha, who represents District 7, introduced the bill back in March.

This week, it passed through a committee and is on its way to a public hearing before a final vote.

The goal, Oriadha said, is to combat a crime wave that is making the entire community feel unsafe.

...

As part of the bill, businesses have to come up with a safety plan if they're open between the hours of 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. – the original legislation had the timeframe from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

That could include anything from extra lighting and surveillance cameras to staff training and adding on-site security.

They then have to submit that plan to local law enforcement for review and approval and renew it every three years.

And if they don't - they cannot operate during those overnight hours.

The legislation mandates that the plans will be individualized for each business.

...

In mid-September, neighboring Montgomery County started requiring businesses to have a late-night safety plan, as well. The difference is that theirs applies to businesses between the hours of 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.

The Maryland Restaurant Association and the Maryland Retailers Alliance have both asked Prince George's County Council to amend the current bill to those same times.

"We definitely understand the intention to make sure that both customers and employees at these businesses are provided with a safe environment overnight," said Sarah Price with the Maryland Retailers Alliance.

But, she said, they are hoping the council will be more transparent and provide more clarity to businesses about expectations moving forward.

She added that many of the businesses that are open overnight are meeting a need within the community.

Click here to read the full article from Fox 5 DC .

‘Eyesore': Prince George's proposes fix for shopping cart problem

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 18:14:16 GMT

Shopping carts are at the center of new legislation in Prince George's County, Maryland.

Residents say they've found shopping carts at apartment complexes, near dumpsters, on the side of the road and other unusual places.

“In New Carollton, they’ll take a cart from somewhere and they come and leave it at my door,” one woman told News4.

“I think it’s an eyesore, seeing all of the carts in the parking lots, in neighborhoods, in apartment buildings. That needs to stop," another woman said.

Prince George's County leaders said they want the carts to come to a halt.

“Abandonment of shopping carts, which can seem very like a nuisance or a random issue, but it’s really gotten exasperated, the amount of shopping carts that are in our community,”

Council member Wanika Fisher said she decided to sponsor a proposal after a cart landed in her yard. She said she's received several complaints from residents in her district.

...

Fisher's Shopping Cart Control Bill would require retailers to implement preventative measures to keep people from taking carts off store property and dumping them somewhere else.

Retailers with more than 20 shopping carts would have to label and equip them with anti-theft measures and establish timelines to retreive the carts.

Businesses that don't comply would face a $2,000 fine, Fisher said.

“Keep retailers responsible for the carts that they utilize in their business,” Fisher said.

The Maryland Retailers Alliance agreed cart theft is an issue and safeguards are needed. However, the group opposes the fine.

“It ultimately comes across as businesses being held financially responsible for crimes that are committed against and on their property,” said Sarah Price, with the Maryland Retailers Alliance.

Click here to read the full article from NBC Washington.

Berlin stores in spotlight for Maryland Tax-Free Week with comptroller visit

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 19:14:19 GMT

Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman visited Berlin retailers Thursday afternoon to promote Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week, which ends Saturday. The comptroller was joined by Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall, Berlin’s Director of Economic and Community Development Ivy Wells and Berlin Town Administrator Mary Bohlen.

During Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week, shoppers in Maryland can buy qualifying clothing and shoes priced at $100 less without paying the state’s 6% sales tax. The first $40 of backpack sales are also not subject to sales tax.

...

Click here to read more about the visit from delmarva now .

The Nation’s First Law Protecting Against Gift Card Draining Has Passed. Will It Work?

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 13:06:28 GMT

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NRF Honors Distinguished Association Leader

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 17:51:50 GMT

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2024 – The National Retail Federation today presented the 2024 J. Thomas Weyant Award to Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance. Locklair was recognized at NRF’s Retail Advocates Summit , where retailers, industry leaders and policymakers from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., for the retail industry’s premier advocacy event.

“Cailey Locklair models excellence in association leadership, and NRF is proud to recognize her as a fierce advocate for the retail industry,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “I began my career at a state retail association, and the record of growth and success by the Maryland Retailers Alliance shows that Cailey and her team work tirelessly, passionately and effectively to create a healthy environment for retailers to operate in Annapolis and throughout Maryland.”

The award, named for a former president of the Pennsylvania Retailers Association, was created by NRF in 1995 to honor individuals who devote their careers to leading state retail associations and advocating for the retail industry.

Locklair works on behalf of the retail, chain drug store and food industries in Maryland. With nearly 20 years in state and local politics, she has pushed issues regarding the state budget, labor and taxes to the forefront of the Alliance’s advocacy agenda, all while emphasizing the necessity to address retail crime across the state. Locklair is a past Chair of the Council of State Retail Associations and a member of the Leadership Maryland Program Class of 2024.

“It’s an honor to be named a J. Thomas Weyant Award recipient. I am proud to represent hundreds of Mayland retailers, their employees and the local communities they serve on a daily basis,” Locklair said. “I look forward to continuing our work at the Alliance to promote a thriving retail industry.”

Previous recipients of the J. Thomas Weyant Award include North Carolina Retail Merchants Association President and General Counsel Andy Ellen, Retail Association of Maine President and CEO Curtis Picard, and Nebraska Retail Federation President Jim Otto.

NRF’s Retail Advocates Summit brings together retailers of all sizes — ranging from independent local sellers to national brands — to meet with members of Congress and discuss a wide range of issues impacting the industry. This year’s event features The Retail Experience , an interactive showcase designed to highlight the power of the retail industry.

About NRF

The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.

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War on shoplifting escalates as businesses fight for survival

Fri, 24 May 2024 16:35:54 GMT

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — With profit margins already razor-thin, many businesses are struggling to survive against a growing wave of shoplifters.

The Giant Supermarket in Edmondson Village announced this week that it'll soon close.

Last year, Lidl Supermarket in Brooklyn shut down too.

While neither publicly blamed theft for their shutdowns, retailers say almost every store is taking a severe hit.

"The laws that are on the books are not strong enough to handle what's going on," said Cailey Locklair, President of the Maryland Retail Association.

For the eighth time, Locklair lobbied state lawmakers for a measure aimed at stiffening penalties for shoplifters, however, it failed to pass.

Click here to watch the interview with Fox45.

Maryland Retailers Alliance pushes for tougher laws amid rising shoplifting costs

Tue, 21 May 2024 17:45:10 GMT

Baltimore (WBFF) — The Maryland Retailers Alliance is pushing for new legislation that would stiffen penalties for shoplifting and thefts.

According to the organization, crime at businesses has reached an over $100 billion problem across the country. But as the organization fights for tougher laws, the problem persists.

The organization's concerns come just one day after another theft at the A-1 Convenience Store on Joppa Road in Towson. Ali, the store's owner says he's considering shutting down after a string of thefts by mostly juvenile thieves.

Cailey Locklair who's president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance--which advocates for over 6,000 businesses across the state--believes a dramatic increase in organized shoplifting crime is threatening the survival of small and large retailers.

"That's exactly what will happen. But it's way bigger than that. It (means) higher prices for American consumers. It's less sales tax revenue for our state and our local governments to pay for the things that we all care about," said Locklair.

...

In Maryland, $1500 is the threshold for a felony theft charge. According to Locklair, organized offenders simply jump from one region to another staying below the threshold. Locklair is pushing for stiffer laws that would combine offenses to help ensure a felony charge. But so far, she says, proposed bills have failed.

Click here to read the full article from Fox45 News .

Two Reasons Why Maryland Didn’t Legalize Online Casinos In 2024

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 19:02:19 GMT

Maryland’s legislative session ended Monday, and online casinos weren’t legalized. The news doesn’t come as a major surprise, as Sen. Ron Watson told US Bets last week that Maryland online casino legalization efforts failed in 2024.

The topic will likely come up again in 2025 and beyond, and the same discussion points that dominated 2024 conversations will surely be critical again. A couple key concerns about gambling expansion torpedoed legalization hopes in 2024.

...

Lawmakers have been inundated with information from different sides of the aisle as it relates to casino cannibalization. Those against online casino legalization are adamant that mobile casinos would lead to job loss at the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos.

Some business owners who operate near casinos say that their bottom line could be negatively impacted by online casinos.

“Marylanders in every region of the state, Republicans and Democrats alike, are united in their opposition of iGaming and iLottery,” Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, said in a press release. “These policies would negatively impact not only the gaming and lottery industries, but also every community that benefits from their local economic stimulation.”

Click here to read the full article from US Bets.

Maryland Online Casino Bill Passes House, Faces Dim Hopes Ahead

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 15:28:24 GMT

Maryland online casino legislation advanced through the House this weekend and beat a crucial deadline, but it faces long odds in the Senate.

The Maryland House sent its online casino bill, HB 1319 , to the Senate with a 92-43 vote Saturday ahead of Monday’s deadline for legislation to pass its chamber of origin. Now, however, the legislation meets a Senate that did not act on a similar bill, with leadership vocally opposed to the Maryland online casino issue.

The Maryland legislative session ends April 8. Because online casino legalization requires a constitutional amendment, Senate passage requires a three-fifths majority. If passed, the question would then go to Maryland voters in November.

...

During committee hearings last month, two of the state’s six casinos came out against the online gambling expansion.

Representatives from both Ocean Downs Casino and Racetrack and Live! Casino and Hotel Maryland expressed concerns about brick-and-mortar casino revenue losses and effects on local employees. Multiple members of casino employee unions also spoke against the issue during the hearings.

Earlier this month, the Maryland Retailers Association came out against the bill and released a poll it commissioned that found 55% of Marylanders are against online casino legalization.

Click here to read the full article from Legal Sports Report.

‘It’s a fee bill’: Md. lawmaker proposes tacking on delivery and ride-hailing fee to help fund transportation

Sat, 16 Mar 2024 19:02:42 GMT

Maryland State Del. Marc Korman kicked off his testimony before colleagues in Annapolis by declaring, “It’s a fee bill.”

He was referring to his proposal to add 50-cent fees on retail orders that are delivered to homes and adding the same fee on transportation network companies, which he said “is nerd-talk for Uber and Lyft.”

Explaining why he’s proposing a new fee in a General Assembly session where legislative leaders have been resisting tax increases, Korman explained, “We have a problem.”

That problem is a gaping 6-year, $3 billion transportation deficit across the state and it doesn’t include deferred projects such as the Red Line in Baltimore or Interstate 270 in Montgomery County.

Under House Bill 1215 , when consumers order goods online, they would be assessed a 50-cent fee per transaction. Korman said that would be the case even if products from the same customer order were delivered in several different trips.

Korman also said that the fee would be assessed on taxable items. “So if you were having just store groceries delivered, it would not apply because there’s no sales tax there,” he said, adding that if a customer were buying items like sneakers, the fee would be applied to that purchase.

Korman explained why the bill targets the delivery of goods from online retailers. “The delivery vans and trucks are tearing up our roads, and the impact of those, believe it or not, is actually higher than if people just drove themselves to the market.”

Cailey Locklair with the Maryland Retailers Association testified in opposition to the bill. Locklair called the fees “a regressive tax,” adding that “increasing prices for consumers and compliance costs for businesses will make it even harder for small businesses to grow and compete.”

According to the fiscal note attached to the legislation, if enacted, the fees could generate a projected $248 million for the transportation trust fund by fiscal year 2029.

If enacted, the law would go into effect July 1, 2025.

Click here to read this article on WTOP .

Maryland Retailers Association Voices Concerns Over Online Casino Legalization

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 19:11:01 GMT

The Maryland Retailers Association came out in opposition to online casino bills in the state Thursday. The MRA also shared results from a poll it commissioned that suggests a notable portion of Marylanders aren’t supportive of gambling expansion. The survey was conducted by Public Policy Polling.

The poll, in which 570 Marylanders were surveyed over the phone, suggests 55% of Marylanders opposed online casino legalization when initially surveyed. Nearly 30% of respondents supported mobile casino apps being legalized in the state, while the final 15% of respondents didn’t know how they felt on the topic.

“Marylanders in every region of the state, Republicans and Democrats alike, are united in their opposition of iGaming and iLottery,” Cailey Locklair, MRA President, said in a press release. “These policies would negatively impact not only the gaming and lottery industries but also every community that benefits from their local economic stimulation.”

Click here to read the full article from USBETS .

Leadership Maryland names Executive Program’s Class of 2024

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 17:04:11 GMT

Leadership Maryland announced the Executive Program’s Class of 2024, consisting of 52 business and community leaders from across the state chosen to participate in the professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland.

The Class of 2024, the Executive Program’s 31st class, reflects a cross-section of the state, including diversity of geographic location, profession, ethnicity, and gender. The program will run from April to December, and include five, two-day sessions focused on Maryland’s five main geographic regions and the most vital issues impacting economic development, education, health and human services, criminal justice, the environment and multi-culturalism/diversity across the state.

More than 100 experts representing Maryland’s business, government, education, and nonprofit communities will serve as panelists and guest speakers.

Leadership Maryland’s flagship Executive Program is open to senior-level executives with significant achievements in either their careers and/or their communities. Ideal Leadership Maryland members have a desire to learn more about Maryland’s most critical issues and a personal commitment to be a force for positive change in their organizations, their communities, and their state.

Leadership Maryland Class of 2024 participants:

OluwaTosin Adegbola, Ph.D.
Executive Director of the Clara I. Adams Honors College, Morgan State University

Tiffany C. Ahalt
Director of Sales & Community Engagement, Visit Hagerstown & Washington County CVB

George J. Arendt III
Project Executive, Southway Builders Inc.

Sonya L. Bigelow-Smith
Director, Business Development, The Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council

Stephen M. Blair
President, Lyceum Insurance Services LLC

Ted L. Book Jr.
Vice President, Easton Velocity, Easton Utilities

Adam W. Borden
Vice President Digital Marketing, Live Casino & Hotel

Kim L. Bradley
Vice President, Total Rewards, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

John P. Brennan II
Assistant Secretary, Maryland Department of Disabilities

Kenneth S. Clash
Chief Operating Officer, Enoch Pratt Free Library and State Library Resource Center

Dr. Lorena I. de Leon
Senior Director, Population Health and SDoH, Maryland Physicians Care

Vineet K. Dhar
Clinical Professor and Chair, University of Maryland, Baltimore

Nicki Fiocco
Director of Programs and Communications, Transform Mid-Atlantic

Julia A. Glanz
Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

Garrick R. Good
President, North East Housing Initiative

Pam Gregory
President/CEO, United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore (UWLES)

Brian T. Hammond
Owner/Chief Learning Officer, Bedford Louis & Ellicot, LLC – BLE Training

Ian Hartman-O’Connell
Senior Director, Policy Integration, AARP

Starlet “Star” Hunter
Director, Community Engagement, MGM National Harbor

Jennifer D. Jones
CEO, Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA)

Paul T. Kappel Jr.
President and CEO, Junior Achievement of Central Maryland

Heidi N. Keeney
Special Projects Manager,Frederick County Government – Division of Emergency Management

Damon L. Krieger
Vice President, Legal Affairs, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Jennifer C. LaHatte

Managing Director of Policy, Research & Government Affairs, Maryland Department of Commerce

Cailey E. Locklair
President, Maryland Retailers Alliance

Jacqueline K. Lopez
President, Premier Enterprise Solutions, LLC

Victoria L. Miele
Supervisor of Public Relations/Public Information Officer, Somerset County Public Schools

Tereance R. Moore
Principal Owner, Tereance Moore Consulting, LLC

Yonelle Moore Lee, Esq.
Vice Chair, Charles County Board of Education

Linda A. Myers
Vice President, School Programs, Kennedy Krieger Institute

Benjamin R. Nichols
President & CEO, Harkins Builders, Inc.

Yanni M. Niebuhr, CFP
CIO, BFG Financial Advisors

Melissa A. Noel
CEO/Business Owner, Noel’s Fire Protection, LLC

Brian R. Ott
Senior Vice President, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Tara A. Owens
Vice President of Athletics and Recreation, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore

Dr. Maarten L. Pereboom
Dean, Fulton School of Liberal Arts, Salisbury University

Stephen J. Pereira
CIO, Calvert County Government

Joseph L. “Terry” Rauh III
Chief Finance & Operations Officer, Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO)

Paul W. Ruppert
President & CEO, Baltimore Public Markets Corporation

Daniel E. Schneckenburger
Executive Director, Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board

Adrienne M. Somerville
Acting Director, Command Operations Group, Naval Air Systems Command

Carolyn Teigland, Ed.D.
CEO, Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education

Heather R. Tinelli
Director of Economic & Tourism Development, Queen Anne’s County

Andrae J. Townsel
Superintendent, Calvert County Public Schools

Hon. Todd M. Turner, Esq.

Executive Director, Prince George’s County Office of Ethics & Accountability

John D. Urbach II
Director, Government Strategic Business Unit, Edward Performance Solutions

Laura E. Weeldreyer
Executive Director, Maryland Family Network

Jeffrey D. Weiss
Chief Financial Officer, Qlarant

Dawn C. White
Vice President, Gas, Baltimore Gas and Electric

Sonya A. Whited
Senior Director of Product and Innovation, Perdue Farms

Portia Wu
Secretary, Maryland Department of Labor

Amanda C. Zinn
President & CEO, Leadership Baltimore County

Click here to view this article from The Daily Record.

Rudy’s Law would require baby food testing for toxic heavy metals in Md.

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 23:12:34 GMT

Rudy Callahan had dozed off by the time Maryland lawmakers took up the bill bearing his name, a proposal that would set state requirements on baby food testing that are stricter than the Food and Drug Administration’s.

The chubby-cheeked redhead, now 17 months old, was among hundreds of people who reported lead poisoning to federal agencies after eating apple puree pouches with contaminated cinnamon. His family traveled to the State House in Annapolis from their home in Calvert County this week to focus public attention on what experts described in testimony as a vulnerability in product safety.

Rudy’s blood-lead levels, caught by routine testing last summer, were at one point nearly six times the minimum risk threshold.

“Rudy’s lead poisoning carried many feelings: shock, anger, outrage, guilt, frustration, fear, worry and uncertainty about his future,” his mother, Sarah Callahan, told lawmakers Wednesday, as her son lay sleeping on his father’s lap. “As a parent, your instinct is to always protect your child and keep them safe.”

The proposal before lawmakers would require makers of baby food sold in Maryland to test for toxic heavy metals — part of a wave of state-level efforts to regulate food for children under 2 as the FDA works to establish voluntary limits for lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury. That plan, called Closer to Zero, was announced after 2021 congressional reports on toxic heavy metals in baby food raised awareness of the issue.

...

Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, said she worked with Taveras, the lawmaker, to amend the bill to mirror California’s testing protocols. With the changes, she said, the alliance remained neutral on the bill.

State officials say the financial impact of the bill could be as high as $28,000 a year to pay one part-time contract employee to review heavy metal test results for baby food sold in Maryland and to make sure companies are posting the results. The cost to a small business making baby food sold in the state could be significant if the company does not already test for heavy metals, the analysis states.

A state Senate hearing on the bill is set for later this month.

Click here to read the full article from The Washington Post .

Movement to bring beer and wine to Maryland supermarket shelves gains traction

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 16:56:28 GMT

If you've ever wondered why you can't buy beer and wine in Maryland supermarkets, you're not alone. It turns out Maryland is one of the few states that bans booze in grocery stores. However, there's now a new effort to change that. It goes back more than 40 years!

Shoppers in Maryland will tell you it’s annoying. You can buy all your groceries in one store, but you have to go to a different store to buy beer or wine.

Should beer and wine be sold in Maryland grocery stores?

The retail analysts FOX 5 spoke with said it’s not only a pain, but the state is losing out on lost revenue.

Advocates are launching a statewide campaign to get lawmakers in Annapolis to allow beer and wine sales in grocery and convenience stores.

They point to a poll finding almost 80% of Marylanders support supermarket beer and wine at supermarkets. The Maryland Retailers Association told FOX 5 that, so far, over 50,000 people have called on lawmakers to make the change.

"So Maryland is one of only four states left where you cannot buy beer or wine because of a 1978 very archaic prohibition that exists in this state. It's something that we’ve been working on the past couple of years and Marylanders clearly want this," said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association.

Click here for the article and to watch Cailey's interview with FOX5 DC.

Maryland Retailers Looking For Robust Holiday Season

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 16:47:55 GMT

Maryland Retailers Looking For Robust Holiday Season

Retail holiday sales should increase over the 2023 holiday season between 3-4%, according to The National Retail Federation (NRF). Since 2009, sales in the industry have grown each year, with the highest increase reaching 13.5% in 2021, shattering previous records. Although the growth rate is slower this year than in recent years, the increase aligns with pre-pandemic growth levels. Not surprisingly, online sales are also set to increase 7-9%.

“Consumer behavior continues to shift post-Covid with online sales set to increase in upwards of 9%,” said Cailey Locklair, President of the Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA). “Consumers should be reminded to support local stores as much as possible as they impact our communities with jobs and tax revenue to support the things we all care about.”

Click here to review our Holiday Sales Forecast as posted by Eye On Annapolis .

How Md. retailers are responding to organized retail theft that has ‘become so serious’

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 18:00:37 GMT

In response to organized retail theft across the state, the Maryland Retailers Association is meeting with several jurisdictions to discuss solutions before the issue becomes so significant that stores consider closing.

Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, said the group met with Montgomery County leaders last week, and is addressing the organized theft “that has become so serious now” with other localities.

As a result of the thefts, Locklair said, some stores are closing and others are considering extra precautions. Some are locking up certain items, checking receipts at entrances and creating one entry and exit point.

Certain stores are also considering extra security, she said.

The issues aren’t exclusive to Maryland, either. A Giant store in Southeast D.C. has added cameras and armed security guards along with making the decision to stop carrying items such as Tide detergent, Colgate toothpaste and Advil.

“(Retail theft) is not unique to Montgomery County,” Locklair said. “It’s happening across the country.”

Click here to read the full article from WTOP .

Attorney General Brown Moderates Organized Retail Crime Panel at Maryland Association of Counties

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 18:50:14 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 17, 2023

Contact: Cailey Locklair

317-397-1918

[Ocean City, Maryland] – Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown took center stage as the distinguished moderator of a thought-provoking panel on organized retail crime during the annual Maryland Association of Counties Conference (“MACO”). For decades, MACO has served as a platform for meaningful discussions and the exchange of ideas among policymakers, government officials and employees, legal professionals, and industry leaders. The panel moderated by Attorney General Anthony Brown was a highlight of this year's conference, sparking crucial conversations about the nexus between organized retail crime and other serious forms of criminal activities.

The panel, held at the Ocean City Convention Center on August 17, 2023, provided a platform for insightful discussions on the intricate connections between organized retail crime, more serious criminal activities, increasing costs for consumers, lost sales tax revenue, resource strains and health and safety concerns. During the panel discussion, Attorney General Brown highlighted a growing focus on organized retail crime and its far-reaching implications. The Attorney General noted that his recently- expanded Organized Crime Unit has seen increasing links between organized crime schemes and retail theft. Attorney General Brown's remarks shed light on the importance of recognizing the broader impact of these crimes on the safety and well-being of local communities.

"When our organized crime unit investigates violent offenders, gang activity, burglaries, and other forms of serious criminal activity, we are increasingly finding ties to organized retail crime," stated Attorney General Brown . "This underscores the need for legislation, collaboration and a comprehensive approach in addressing these issues to ensure the safety and security of our neighborhoods."

The panel featured distinguished experts who brought their unique perspectives to the discussion:

1. Frederick County State's Attorney Charles Smith: Smith shared valuable insights into the legal aspects of prosecuting organized retail crime and its connections to other criminal activities. His experience in criminal justice

provided a comprehensive view of the challenges faced by prosecutors in

combating these interconnected crimes.

2. Gerry D'Angelo, Corporate Investigator for The Home Depot: D'Angelo

provided a corporate perspective on the issue, offering real-world examples of how organized retail crime impacts businesses and the measures that companies like The Home Depot are taking to prevent and address such crimes.

3. Detective Matt Vendemio, Montgomery County Police : Vendemio discussed the professional theft that local police departments are seeing in and around the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area often involving international groups and the resource issues facing law enforcement.

The panelists engaged in a lively and informative conversation, delving into the tactics employed by organized retail crime rings, the role of technology in both perpetrating and combating these crimes, and the collaborative efforts required to effectively address this multifaceted challenge.

For more information about the Maryland Association of Counties Conference and its impactful discussions, please visit www.mdcounties.org/1410/Summer-2023

Maryland Retailers Association (www.mdra.org) is The Voice for Retail in Maryland. As the retail community’s major trade association, MRA is a diverse and broad-based organization covering all segments of the retail industry. Operating under the belief that merchants can achieve more as a group than any one business owner acting alone, MRA is dedicated solely to the interests of the retail community. Whether it be advocating before elected officials or speaking to the media, MRA is the voice of retail in Maryland.

###

Minding the Store: Combating Crime at the Retail Level

clocklair@mdra.org (Cailey Locklair) — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 14:45:41 GMT

MACo’s Summer Conference will cover a variety of topics highlighting the ways counties serve Marylanders and exploring solutions to local governance challenges.

One of those sessions, moderated by the State’s Attorney General, Anthony Brown, will discuss how to protect retail businesses from crime. Counties are very invested in both their local economies and public safety, so an in-depth discussion on this important topic will be a can’t-miss event!

Title: Minding the Store: Combatting Crime at the Retail Level

Description: Marylanders are increasingly getting back to Main Street for work, play, and commerce. Hometown retail businesses face an array of challenges, including property theft and associated crime. This panel will include Maryland leaders who are facing this crisis head-on. Moderated by the Attorney General, his office’s Organized Crime Unit and leaders from the retail business community will discuss efforts to strengthen and protect this backbone of local economies – and where county and community leaders can play a part.

Speakers:

Cailey Locklair, President, Maryland Retailers Association, Maryland Chain Drug Stores and the Maryland Food Industry Council
J. Charles Smith III, States Attorney Frederick County and President, National District Attorney Association
Gerald D’Angelo, Corporate Investigator, The Home Depot

Moderator: The Honorable Anthony Brown, Attorney General, State of Maryland

Date/Time: Thursday, August 17, 2023; 10:30 am – 11:30 am

The 2023 MACo Summer Conference will be held at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, MD from August 16-19. This year’s theme is “Where The Rubber Meets the Road.” More information can be found on our conference website .

Click here to view this information directly from the Maryland Association of Counties and learn more about this year's MACo Summer Conference .

Comptroller Lierman Announces Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week, August 13 to 19

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 19:24:24 GMT

Maryland Retailers Association and its members join in promoting a week of tax-free savings

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (August 1, 2023) - Comptroller Brooke Lierman has announced that Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week will return Sunday, August 13, to Saturday, August 19, with significant savings for consumers, especially parents doing back-to-school shopping, and a much-needed sales boost for retailers.

“Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week is an important opportunity for Marylanders, particularly families, to save some money while doing their back-to-school shopping,” Comptroller Lierman said. “The cost of new clothes and backpacks for families of any size can add up quickly."

She added that "In addition to saving money by shopping from August 13 to 19, Marylanders can also support our local economy by shopping at a local store. We're excited to partner with the Maryland Retailers Association and its membership to spread the word about the benefits of shopping at local retailers and receiving those sales tax savings.”

During the week, any single qualifying article of clothing or footwear priced $100 or less – regardless of how many items are purchased in the same transaction – will be exempt from the state's six percent sales tax. The first $40 of any backpack purchase is also tax free. Although commonly associated with back-to-school shopping, Comptroller Lierman reminds Marylanders that the tax-free savings apply to shoppers of all ages.

Throughout the week, the Maryland Retailers Association (MRA) will help the Comptroller in promoting the annual week of tax-free shopping on qualifying items.

“Small businesses make up the backbone of our communities, providing neighborhood stabilization, tax revenue for the things we care about, and philanthropy for local organizations,” said Cailey Locklair, President of the Maryland Retailers Association. “Marylanders can save money and support their community during Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week by checking out their nearest retailers and shopping locally.”

For more information about Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week, visit the Comptroller’s website at www.marylandtaxes.gov for a list of tax-exempt items, frequently asked questions, and valuable facts for shoppers and merchants.

The Comptroller’s social media pages will promote the special savings week, showcasing local retailers and encouraging shoppers to take advantage of the promotion. Retailers can visit our Shop Tax Free Maryland website to download and share our social media toolkit.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adam Abadir: AAbadir@marylandtaxes.gov
667-408-0768 (cell)

Barbara Sauers: bsauers@marylandtaxes.gov
410-212-9414 (cell)

High grocery prices bringing more people to food pantry’s

clocklair@mdra.org (Cailey Locklair) — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 21:02:05 GMT

Maryland families are struggling to keep food on the table and the Maryland Food Bank says grocery prices are to blame.“As inflation has really reared its head, we’re seeing the heightened demand that we think is for months to come,” said Carmen Del Guercio, CEO and President of the Maryland Food Bank.

Recent U.S. Census Bureau data (Household Pulse Survey) shows concerning statistics when it comes to hunger in Maryland. “That 45% percent of Marylanders – their children have to go without food potentially because they can’t find ways to make ends meet,” said Guercio.

Food pantry Partner Adopt-A-Block says they are feeling the impact of increased need in our own backyard. “We’re seeing an incredible increase of people who are coming not only to our church in Salisbury but we also have the Adopt-A-Block and partnership with Crisfield Cares in Crisfield. Just last week we had over 100 people at our Crisfield location which is up from 60 or 70 that we usually get down in Crisfield, and here in Salisbury, we had to move it from people coming to our church office because it’s too overwhelming,” said Reverend Mark Thompson with Adopt-A-Block.

Reverend Mark Thompson says smaller food pantries are closing up because of the increase in food costs so more people are looking to them for assistance.

“There are 90 migrant workers at one of the local hotels that they’re not receiving enough food so they’re asking us for food. Yesterday, I had to take over cases of ramen noodles and pop-up cans that they can microwave,” said Reverand Thompson.

Though there is a greater need, The Maryland Food Bank has a plan to help keep food on the table. “The ways in which we’re trying to respond to this need is to buy more food to respond to this demand. We’re buying more food at heightened costs which put more pressure on our organization. That’s our number 1 response is to continue to buy as much food as we possibly can afford to buy to push as much food out to the communities as we can,” Guercio explained.

47 ABC also reached out to the Maryland Retailers Association, who tells us “According to the Consumer Prince Index, from May 2020- June 2023 the percent change in food prices is 20.2%, which has drastically impacted consumers.

The Maryland Food Bank considers what food options are most nutritious and culturally preferred to limit food waste. They also are accepting volunteers to help work the food pantry.

Adopt-A-Block feeds over 65,000 families a month and to keep doing so they could use your support.

Click here to view the article on ABC47 WMDT .

Consumer spending expected to hit $36 billion this Mother’s Day

Mon, 15 May 2023 16:34:36 GMT

Consumer spending expected to hit $36 billion this Mother’s Day

Consumers are expected to spend a record breaking $36 billion this year for Mother’s Day according to the National Retail Association .

That’s up nearly $4 billion from 2 022.

The Maryland Retailers Association tells us a big part of that increase is due to inflation, as spending for all items is up by 4%.

Despite this, we’re told there are still ways to save as consumers can take advantage of many sales currently underway for other commercial holidays like Memorial Day. “Kitchen appliances, mattresses, outdoor furniture, electronics. People are really going to be taking advantage of them and big stores start sales a lot earlier for the holiday,” Maryland Retailers Association President Cailey Locklair said.

“Online sales have already begun too, so just be on the lookout. You’re going to see your discount stores and warehouse stores kicking things off already so there’s lots of options for mom.”

According to the National Retailers Association the most popular gifts for mom’s this year are flowers followed by greeting cards and dining out.

Click here to view the article from WMDT .

Supplement groups unite to make case against Maryland ‘diet pills’ bill

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 16:16:01 GMT

The supplement industry was unanimous in its opposition to a bill in Maryland with 12 co-sponsors that would restrict sales of “diet pills” and require dire warnings to be posted.

Dietary supplement stakeholder groups have teamed up to oppose a Maryland bill that would restrict sales of “diet pills” to underage consumers to protect eating disorder sufferers. The groups claimed there is no evidence that links supplements to these disorders, among raising other objections.

House Bill 634 would require dietary supplements aimed at weight management—referred to as “diet pills” in the legislation—to be placed behind a counter and sold only to those consumers who can prove they are at least 18.

In addition, the bill would require retailers to post a warning that, “Specified diet pills may contribute to gastrointestinal [GI] impairment, tachycardia, hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, organ failure, severe liver injury sometimes requiring a transplant or leading to death, or other serious injuries or death.”

...

Cailey Locklair of the Maryland Retailers Association testified that if some of her organization’s concerns were addressed, the group would be neutral on the bill. She said retailers could conceivably be able to ask for identification when selling the products, but Locklair said sequestering them was unrealistic because of the hundreds of products potentially covered by the bill.

Also, she said the health warnings called for in the bill didn’t make much sense either, since many over-the-counter products that carry risks are sold without such prominent signage and make do with warnings on labels.

Click here to read the full article from NaturalProductsInsider .

Moore on minimum wage: 'Maryland families will fall further and further behind' without increase

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 20:42:33 GMT

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has the attention of lawmakers after testifying in favor of legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour this year -- two years ahead of schedule. Raising the minimum wage and tying it to inflation is the cornerstone of the governor's plan to eliminate child poverty, and he acknowledges it will be a tough fight.

Moore told committee members that he listened to all sides of the issue and is still convinced that raising the minimum wage early and tying it to the rate of inflation for future increases is the right thing to do.

. ..

More than a dozen groups oppose the plan. Some local chambers of commerce oppose the bill, saying it sends a message that Maryland is anti-business, and they are concerned about budgeting for increases tied to inflation. Those in opposition cited increasing labor costs that they said will affect jobs.

"Labor costs going up this much will mean people will lose jobs. Prices will go up, and as much as we believe this is going to lift people up, it's going to cost harm," said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association. "Tying the wage to the Consumer Price Index would allow, in this bill, an upwards of a 5% increase every single year, and we believe policy decisions should be made on a yearly basis if we are going to increase wages in that fashion."

Click here to read the full article from WBALTV11 .

Maryland bill being pushed that would require AEDs in more public places

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 21:56:09 GMT

A bill in the legislature aims to increase the number of places that would be required to have automatic external defibrillators, or AEDs.

It's named after a man who's wife has been on a mission to get these devices more accessible to the public. Joe Sheya died in 2014 when he had sudden cardiac arrest, not getting a shock from an AED until 11 minutes after.

It happened at a restaurant, one of the places AED's aren't required under state law.

...

The bill would require restaurants and other food facilities like coffee shops, cafeterias, even grocery stores to have AED's.

This would only impact businesses making more than $400,000 a year.

Businesses would also have to provide for training. It's one of the issues from the Maryland Retailers Association. Cailey Locklair, MRA's president, argued staffing is already hard enough.

"With high turnover, numerous shifts in retail, ensuring somebody meets the state's requirements for training and having them on every single shift just may not be possible," she said.

Click here to read the full article from CBS News .

Maryland legislators consider bill to boost local journalism

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 21:40:02 GMT

Maureen Daly of Long Island’s North Shore Leader broke the story of George Santos’ deception months prior to the 2022 election.

But people didn’t listen , and Santos went on to secure victory in New York’s 3rd Congressional District. He’s since faced scrutiny from local and national outlets alike for embellishing his background.

Stories like this are what inspired newly elected state Del. Joe Vogel, D-Montgomery, to sponsor a bill sustaining local journalism in the Maryland General Assembly. HB 540 would allow small and medium-sized businesses to receive a tax credit of up to $3,000 for advertising in local news outlets such as newspapers, radio and television.

...

The bill would encourage entrepreneurship and development for small businesses in the state, according to testimony at the hearing from Sarah Price from the Maryland Retailers Association. Price said the first five years of business operations for a company can determine if it stays afloat within its community.

“Anything that we can do to offset the costs of advertising with local news sources and building a strong customer base within that community could make a really big difference for entrepreneurs in Maryland,” Price said during the bill’s hearing.

Click here to read the full article from the Baltimore Business Journal .

Maryland Bankers Association Successfully Concludes 16th Annual “First Friday” Economic Outlook Forum

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 21:35:29 GMT

On Friday, January 6, the Maryland Bankers Association hosted its 16th annual “First Friday” Economic Outlook Forum at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore, MD .

The Forum – held in participation with the Maryland Association of CPAs, Maryland REALTORS®, Maryland Chamber of Commerce, and Maryland Retailers Association – examined the impact of Maryland’s businesses on the region’s economy over the past year. The attendees discussed expectations for the year ahead and networked with fellow professionals in the state’s banking and business sectors.

Chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group and the Maryland Bankers Association’s Chief Economist, Anirban Basu, kicked off the annual Forum with an update on the region’s economy. Following his presentation, Basu moderated a panel of experts including Scott Love, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Strategist at Wesbanco; Kurt J. Rankin, Vice President and Senior Economist of PNC Financial Services Group; Eylem Senyuz, Senior Vice President and Senior Global Macro Strategist of Truist Advisory Services; and Luke Tilley, Chief Economist and Head of Asset Allocation and Quantitative Services at Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors.

“I am honored to have had the opportunity to speak with Maryland’s bankers and industry leaders again this year,” said Anirban Basu, a returning presenter. “I hope that each and every attendee learned something valuable from our experts here today that they can take with them into the new year.”

Click here to read the full article from PRWeb .

Veggie prices up 80%, local supermarket says it’s not a problem in Salisbury

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 17:12:51 GMT

Vegetable prices are seeing a record spike across the country, due to weather and inflation.

“You’re talking about a surge of 80% which is enormous,” says Cailey Locaklaire, the President of the Maryland Retailers Association.

Vegetable prices saw an 8% jump in the month of November alone, something officials are calling a drastic change. The reason for the increase, some say it’s weather conditions. “So the problem has been over these winter months the top 3 state producers with massive losses and that’s why you’re seeing supply and demand, demand still there – well we don’t have the product there to supply demand,” says Locklair.

One new, local grocery store says that with research and a good vendor, the problem won’t affect you in Salisbury. “Inflation will affect most grocery stores with our buy-in platform the buyers just keep an eye on values that will better our inventory for the customers. Our buyers do their research and find values in the produce industry for our customers,” says Traci Kay, the Fresh Merchandiser for Grocery Outlet.

Inflation isn’t the only problem causing the price hike for you to bring your veggies home. “It’s not just inflation we’re still having problems with transportation and moving goods across the country, you see laboring cost increases, the increase for labor is just unbelievable at this point,” Locklair adds.

Click here to read the full article from WMDT .

This Holiday Season Will See The Highest Retail Sales On Record Despite Inflation

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 17:10:28 GMT

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Association Acts As Advocate, Problem Solver For Members

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 18:30:49 GMT

While the overall economy in Maryland is looking bright, grocers in the state continue to face challenges.

“Our economy consistently outperforms the country as a whole, and last year we ranked as the most improved state for business under the leadership of Gov. Larry Hogan,” said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, Maryland Food Industry Council, Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores and Tri-State Jewelers Association.

“Our GDP continues to increase, and retail is the largest private sector employer in Maryland.”

The effects of inflation are being felt, however. Locklair said supply chain issues, coupled with rising energy costs and labor, as well as higher commodity prices, have “resulted in everything from food and employee shortages to increased costs that cannot be sustained on a 1-3 percent profit margin.”

“Unfortunately, these problems have resulted in higher prices for consumers,” she added.

Labor shortages are significant in Maryland, which has a 4.2 percent unemployment rate, according to Locklair.

“Employers have raised wages above minimum wage, are offering bonuses, flexible hours and more benefits,” she s aid. “It truly is an employee’s dream climate to work in.”

Supply chain woes due to weather, port issues, transportation problems and employee shortages continue to affect product supply and consumer availability.

“Not much can be addressed by members other than doing their best to communicate when these issues occur and encouraging consumers to not panic buy,” Locklair said.

In an effort to help its members, the association is sending out a bi-weekly e-newsletter “with pertinent information necessary to do business, legislative updates and even cost saving benefit partners.”

“We constantly act as a problem solver for our members and liaison with all levels of government,” Locklair said.

Click here to read the full profile from The Shelby Report.

“This year is a little different”: Parents trying to save money this year for back-to-school shopping

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 18:32:25 GMT

It’s that time of the year again, we’re talking back to school shopping. And this year, marking those items off the list may come with a higher price tag.

“This is going to be the most expensive year on record for back-to-school shopping,” Cailey Locklair, President of the Maryland Retailers Association, said. “Deloitte, that does a study every year about back to school shopping and how consumers are feeling, they did a survey that found that almost 60% of back-to-school shoppers are concerned about inflation.”

“School supply is like one of those things, it’s like car insurance; you gotta have them in order to help a student succeed he or she needs those essential supplies to start the school year with,” Bill Chambers, President and CEO of Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, said.

In fact, families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $864 on school items this year, according to the National Retail Federation.

Click here to read the full article from WMDT.

“It’s struggling right now:” Consumers still facing high food prices, costs could go up even more

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 22:29:06 GMT

“It’s struggling right now:” Consumers still facing high food prices, costs could go up even more.

Whether you’re a consumer buying groceries at the store or you’re a customer at a restaurant, you may have noticed the jump in food prices.

The U.S. Department of Agr iculture released an update saying all consumer food prices are predicted to increase between 4.5% and 5.5% in 2022.

“These are some of the most significant food prices increases that we’ve seen in decades,” Cailey Locklair, the President of Maryland Retailers Association and The Maryland Food Industry Council, said.

Locklair said right now there’s not just one answer as to why this is happening. She said we can see demand increasing drastically for consumers at home with a 21% increase year over year. Additionally, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia will have an impact.

“Especially with the global conflict going on, that combination of consumer demand up, the cost to do business up all over the world this is not going away for awhile; so consumers are really going to h ave to hunker down and deal with this,” Locklair said.

Click here to read the full article from ABC47 .

Tackling Inflation: Tips on getting the biggest bang for your buck despite rising prices

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 23:00:51 GMT

Tackling Inflation: Tips on getting the biggest bang for your buck despite rising prices

It’s no secret that store prices are sky rocketing, but what exactly is the cause?

Well, experts say there are quite a few of them. “So you think about the port issues on the west coast, the fact that economy is flushed with cash, and there’s increased consumer demand as shopping habits have really change,” President of The Maryland Retailers Association Cailey Locklair said.

“All of that being the perfect storm is pushing prices up. Its going to be a time when we have to significantly pull back on our spending as consumers,” Salisbury University’s Perdue School of Business Professor Dr. Memo Diriker said.

I spoke with consumers and experts who say that time is now and have tips you should keep in mind as you make your way down the aisle. “At some of these discount stores or warehouse stores they obviously specialize in bulk sale so that’s somethings that going to save you money,” Locklair said.

Click here to read the full article from ABC47 .

Inspired by the Death of a Veteran Firefighter, Bill Would Limit Exposure to Toxic Chemical in Fire Foam and Gear

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 20:56:23 GMT

Inspired by the Death of a Veteran Firefighter, Bill Would Limit Exposure to Toxic Chemical in Fire Foam and Gear

For the second year, Maryland lawmakers are trying to limit firefighters’ exposure to PFAS with the George “Walter” Taylor Act .

The bill would ban fire-fighting foam, food packaging, rugs and carpets that contain PFAS. It also would require anyone who sells personal protective equipment that includes PFAS to provide a written notice to the buyer.

PFAS are found in many household items including nonstick pans, stain-resistant furniture and textiles, but also in firefighting foam and firefighter gear. Because PFAS are resistant to water and grease at high temperatures, many manufacturers have incorporated the chemical into their products.

...

Distributors of carpets, firefighting foam and food packaging are “intermediaries in the supply chain,” not the manufacturer, Maryland Retailers Association President Cailey Locklair told the committee. Those distributors may not know what exactly is in an item they are selling. It would also be a large lift to require companies to test their products for “hundreds of chemistries” that fall under PFAS, she added.

Click here to read the full article from Maryland Matters .

“I mean these are very interesting times:” Supply chain issues hitting some grocery stores

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 21:07:20 GMT

“I mean these are very interesting times:” Supply chain issues hitting some grocery stores

A chain of events are leaving some grocery store shelves empty.

“You’re feeling all of these areas impacted that we’d never had problems in due to sickness, because of s hortages, I mean these are very interesting times,” Cailey Locklair, President of Maryland Retailers Association, said.

Whether you’re looking for eggs or meat, you may have a hard time getting your hands on these items. A lot comes down to COVID-19 and supply chain issues.

“When the pandemic first hit, everybody was going to the grocery stores and we had a lot of out of stocks at that point some of the manufacturers began shutting down due to the pandemic,” Gerry Hocker, the Vice President of Hocker’s Supermarket, said.

Three key pieces make up the food supply chain, production, processing, and retail. Each one has been slammed by the pandemic.

Click here to read the full article from ABC47.

COVID-related supply chain issues to blame for empty store shelves, grocers say

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 17:35:28 GMT

COVID-related supply chain issues to blame for empty store shelves, grocers say

The possibility of an incoming winter storm Sunday has some shoppers in the D.C. area worried they may not be able to stock up the way they are used to. There are alread y empty shelves in grocery stores all over the region, according to grocers, and hundreds of shoppers who shared photos of bare shelves with WUSA9.

"I feel like I'm back in 2020 over again,” said shopper Yulette Newman outside a Giant Food in Burtonsville, Maryland.

Shopper Alice Stewart said she was mystified because some products were well stocked while others appeared to have gone missing entirely.

...

“The prolonged pandemic and last week's weather has caused continued strain on our supply chain," Giant Spokesman Dan Wolk said.

The Maryland Retailers Association spokesperson, Caily Locklair, added that COVID's ongoing impact on workforces and a nationwide shortage of truckers is not helping weather delays.

"[There's] a lack of truck drivers, lack of store employees, COVID illness and production [is] slowing because of employee issues continues to impact our shelves," Locklair said in a written statement.

Click here to read the full article from WUSA9.

Comptroller Franchot Reminds Residents To Shop Maryland And Save

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 21:40:09 GMT

Comptroller Franchot Reminds Residents To Shop Maryland And Save

Comptroller Peter Franchot reminds residents to Shop Maryland and Save for the Holidays while crossing gifts off your list.

The Comptroller has once again partnered with the MD|DC Credit Union Association to provide savings to members who shop locally and support Maryland small businesses.

Participating Marylan d-based credit unions are offering rewards points and incentives to members who make purchases at local businesses from now until the end of the year. Those sales will be tracked through credit card transactions. Each credit union has established its own system for rewarding members, which can be found on the Comptroller's website by expanding the tab for "Shop Maryland and Save for the Holidays."

...

The Maryland Retailers Association, a longtime partner in the Comptroller's Shop Maryland for the Holidays campaign, emphasizes that its members are focused on making shoppers feel safe so they can comfortably shop while in stores. MRA is expecting record sales this holiday season, as consumers look to make up for a cautious approach last year during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visit the Comptroller of Maryland website for more information on shopping local and to find out about participating credit unions. Merchants are encouraged to visit our website to download graph ics to post on social media or on storefront windows.

Click here to read the full article from TheBayNet.

Shipping delays and higher spending expected this holiday season

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 15:39:41 GMT

Shipping delays and higher spending expected this holiday season

The 2021 holiday season appears to be blending some traditional shopping patterns with some mid-pandemic changes.

Consumers are expected to return en masse to traditiona l retail venues, spend more and make purchases earlier this year to avoid shipping delays. That has consequences for retailers. Black Friday — coined for the day when retailers shift from “red” to “black” and turn a profit for the year — appears to be a phenomenon of the past and now replaced by the “Thanksgiving Week” shopping period extending several days into Cyber Monday.

...

“Digital shopping is obviously here to say, but consumers are anxious to leave their homes and in-store shopping will regain some ground that was lost last year,” stated Cailey Locklair, President of the Maryland Retailers Association. “As concerns with the pandemic ease, the seven-year low we experienced last season is expected to reverse. We continue to encourage the support of local stores given their positive impact on our communities, jobs and tax revenue.”

Click here to read the full article from NAIOP.

Maryland Adds 14,900 Jobs In October: Unemployment Decreases To 5.7%: Labor Report

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 19:53:05 GMT

Maryland Adds 14,900 Jobs In October: Unemployment Decreases To 5.7%: Labor Report

Maryland’s economy gained 14,900 jobs in October and the state’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.9% to 5.7%, according to preliminary data released by the U.S. Depart ment of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday morning.

The latest numbers mean that the state’s unemployment rate is at its lowest level since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic more than 20 months ago.

Maryland gained 1,200 jobs in Septem ber. The national unemployment rate is 4.6%.

. ..

Maryland Retailers Association President Cailey Locklair said businesses are likely to face serious challenges in the near-term future.

“We are very concerned, and more startling is the fact that in 42 states including Maryland, there are more jobs than jobless people. With that type of job availability employees have more bargaining power than ever. Businesses are experiencing inflation the same way people are and the fact is it is going to get worse. The combination of high consumer demand, shipping congestion, workforce shortages, and higher costs is challenging everyone, but the longer jobs go infilled, the worse this gets.” There are 575,996 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Maryland as of Friday morning, according to the Department of Health, and 10,869 people in Maryland have died from the virus. The state’s positivity rate is 3.43%, which falls within CDC recommended guidelines for containment. Maryland has conducted more than 14.7 million COVID-19 tests.

Click here to read the full article from the Southern Maryland Chronicle .

Md. Retailers Association Predicts ‘Highest Sales On Record’ For This Year’s Holiday Shopping

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 16:43:16 GMT

The holiday shopping season could be a very profitable one this year for retailers. “We’re actually predicting the highest sales on record ever for this year,” says Cali ey Locklair, President of the Maryland Retailers Association. “And the numbers were looking are somewhere between an 8.5% and a 10% increase which I think will be surprising for folks.”

Locklair says a lot of it is due to pent up demand by consumers following last year when the nation was dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. “And it also impacted by consumers spending less on travel experiences and dining out,” she says.

But Locklair says retailers are also concerned about supply chain issues, and whether they will have enough products in stock for sale to consumers. “Not only do you have the congestion with shipping on the west coast, but the increasing consumer demand, the workforce shortage, rising costs such as minimum wage, wage compression issues. And then you’re seeing inflation go up as consumer spending goes up,” she says.

Click here to read the full article from WFMD .

Speaker Jones Announces New Leadership Positions

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 15:50:02 GMT

House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones has announced new leadership appointments effective November 15, 2021.

Speaker Jones makes the following appointments:

Ways and Means Chair: Vanessa Atterbeary
Economic Matters Vice Chair: Brian Crosby
Judiciary Vice Chair: David Moon
Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics House Chair: J. Sandy Bartlett
Property & Casualty Insurance Subcommittee Chair (ECM): Ned Carey
Unemployment Insurance Subcommittee Chair (ECM): Lorig Charkoudian
Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee Chair (APP): Tony Bridges

“Delegate Atterbeary has proven herself to be a leader that can bring members together, forge consensus and create meaningful change. I’m confident she is the right person to lead the House Ways and Means Committee into the future,” said Speaker Jones. “Delegate Moon has been a champion for social justice and a force for change in the Judiciary Committee since arriving in Annapolis in 2015. He will hit the ground running as Vice Chair.”

“In just a short time in Annapolis, Brian Crosby has created coalitions and built relationships with entrepreneurs, labor leaders, and advocates across the ideological spectrum that will serve him well as the Vice Chair of Economic Matters,” continued Speaker Jones. “Overall, these appointments today reflect the growing diversity of the State and the House of Delegates.”

In addition, the following legislators have been appointed to House standing committees:

Delegate Nick Charles – Ways & Means Committee
Delegate Anne Kaiser – Health & Government Operations Committee
Delegate Cheryl Landis – Health & Government Operations Committee
Delegate Rachel Muñoz – Ways & Means Committee
Delegate Roxane Prettyman – Environment & Transportation Committee
Delegate Haven Shoemaker – Judiciary Committee
Delegate Stephanie Smith – Appropriations Committee

Advocates Abuzz Over Possible Change To Alcohol Sales In Maryland

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 14:57:09 GMT

The Maryland Retailers Association was profiled this week in the Shelby Report, with MRA President Cailey Locklair reviewing our legislative priorities as we look ahead to the 2022 Session. Cailey discussed alcohol sales in Maryland and how MRA seeks to address food deserts through expanding license opportunities for grocery and other food retailers. She also reviewed how businesses are impacted by childcare issues and organized retail crime, and how MRA hopes to address these problems through legislation.

Click here to learn more about how MRA is preparing for the upcoming legislative Session .

Comptroller Franchot Urges Residents to Shop Maryland and Save

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 20:23:36 GMT

Comptroller Franchot Urges Residents to Shop Maryland and Save

Getting in the holiday spirit early, Comptroller Peter Franchot [today] kicked off the annual Shop Maryland and Save for the Holidays campaign with visits to two longstanding Prince George’s County businesses.

Comptroller Franchot has once again partnered with the MD|DC Credit Union Association to provide savings to members who shop locally and support Maryland small businesses.

...

“Small businesses have struggled to recover from the pandemic and I’m thrilled that Maryland credit unions continue to promote and incentivize the value of supporting local retailers,” Comptroller Franchot said. “This is a great opportunity for consumers to save and a much-needed jolt for small businesses.”

. ..

The Maryland Retailers Association emphasizes that its members are focused on making shoppers feel safe so they can comfortably shop while in stores. Many restaurants are doing the same to prioritize the health of their patrons and staff.

Click here to read the full article from the Southern Maryland Chronicle .

BMI Songwriter Sam Grow Performs for Maryland Retailers

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 15:30:33 GMT

BMI Songwriter Sam Grow Performs for Maryland Retailers

The Maryland Retailers Association held their annual awards show virtually again this year and it featured a performance by BMI Nashville songwriter Sam Grow. The Southe rn Maryland native has been named by Billboard as a “Country Act to Watch,” and his 2020 single “Song About You” garnered more than 50 million streams while being named one of Spotify’s “Best Country Songs.” The MRA represents thousands of retails businesses across the state of Maryland and their annual awards ceremony is designed to thank their members and legislative partners for the work that they do to support the mission of the Association.

Click here to view the post on BMI's website .

Ongoing Pandemic Continues to Add to Worker Shortage in Maryland

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 15:00:38 GMT

Ongoing Pandemic Continues to Add to Worker Shortage in Maryland

While President Joe Biden rolls out his plan to improve the country's economy, business owners and workers are still trying to solve coronavirus pandemic-related problem s in Maryland.

The coronavirus pandemic changed lifestyles and that's what's now driving the worker shortage.

...

Although Maryland saw an increase of 22,000 jobs in July, economists said overall, the pace of hiring has weakened.

Most unfilled jobs are those that require fact-to-face contact. The Maryland Retailers Association expects improvement in October.

An analysis of data by Earnin, an app that tracks wages, only 1 in 8 unemployed workers found employment in August.

Click here to read the full article from WBALTV11 .

How Will the End of Enhanced UI Benefits Affect the State Labor Market?

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 14:46:36 GMT

How Will the End of Enhanced UI Benefits Affect the State Labor Market?

Republicans long argued that the enhanced unemployment insurance benefits that were made available to claimants under the CARES Act discouraged people from returning work, while Democrats often countered that the extra benefits had little or no effect on the job market and were necessary due to the economic devastation brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

Labor Day marked the statutory deadline set by Congress for the end of enhanced UI benefits and the extra $300 a week that many claimants had been receiving on top of regular UI benefits.

Many states chose to end the extra benefits prior to the statutory deadline fearing prolonged labor shortages. Gov. Larry Hogan tried to do that in Maryland but was blocked by a state court.

Maryland’s unemployment rate is 6%. The national unemployment rate is 5.2%.

Will the state’s unemployment rate go down now that the enhanced benefits are no longer available?

...

Maryland Retailers Association President Cailey Locklair said employers are still struggling to fill the many open positions.

“We believe hiring will pick up with the expiration of additional benefits. We would also still like to see previous search for work requirements reinstated too. Employers are still having a hiring crisis that spans all industries and job openings are at record highs. Additionally, employers are offering highly competitive salaries and benefits and have proven over and over again it is safe to return to work.”

Click here to read the full article from the Maryland Reporter!

What Does Full Approval Of The Pfizer-Biontech Covid-19 Vaccine Mean For Businesses?

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 18:16:02 GMT

What Does Full Approval Of The Pfizer-Biontech Covid-19 Vaccine Mean For Businesses?

The Food and Drug Administration’s recent decision to grant full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has led to considerable discussion about an increase in vaccine mandates.

The status of the company’s vaccine was upgraded on Monday.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was the first COVID-19 shot to receive government approval, but previously the approval was only for emergency use.

The two other COVID-19 vaccines, which are manufactured by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, are only approved for emergency use. However, that could change within the next few weeks.

Vaccine mandates for members of the military and federal employees and contractors are about to take effect.

In Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan has opted against state-imposed vaccine mandates and the state has instead encouraged businesses to impose their own mandates.

...

Maryland Retailers Association President Cailey Locklair said that while her organization opposes “one size fits all mandates from government,” it does support the right of businesses to decide whether or not they wish to impose vaccine mandates.

“We support the right for businesses to make decisions about their employees and customers that fits their workplace and environment….Retailers have proven over and over again our ability to operate safely.”

Click here to read the full article from the Southern Maryland Chronicle .

BMI Sponsors Performance by ‘The Voice’ Finalist at Retail Association Conference

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 17:10:00 GMT

BMI Sponsors Performance by ‘The Voice’ Finalist at Retail Association Conference

Recently signed BMI songwriter Ryleigh Modig, who appeared on Season 20 of The Voice , highlighted the closing evening of the Council of State Retail Associations annual conference by performing on The Raven, as attendees enjoyed a boat cruise on the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, Maryland. The 19-year-old Spencer, Massachusetts native performed an inspiring set of originals and covers for the group of state and national retail association executives. Ryleigh, who was on Kelly Clarkson’s team when appearing on The Voice , later was a guest on the Ellen DeGeneres Show , where she performed Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License.”

The Council of State Retail Associations was organized to improve and advance the retail industry through close cooperation and mutual assistance among state retail association executives.

Click here to view the article on BMI's website!

Maryland Tax Free Week Returns Aug. 8-14

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 20:54:59 GMT

Maryland Tax Free Week Returns August 8-14, 2021

Comptroller Peter Franchot announced that Maryland Tax-Free week returns Aug. 8-14.

“Tax-free week is a rite of Maryland’s late summer, signaling the approach of a new school year, cooler weather and a change of wardrobe,” Comptroller Franchot said. “Maryland’s high vaccination rates means life is beginning to return to normal. While I continue to urge caution, Marylanders should take advantage of tax-free week savings and support locally owned businesses that have been hit hard during the pandemic.”

The Comptroller’s Office is also partnering with the Maryland Retailers Association to offer scholarships to two students attending a university, college or trade school in Maryland. $1,000 will be awarded to the first place winner and $500 for the second-place winner.

Interested students can email a creative photo or video in less than 60 seconds promoting tax-free week, showcasing their purchases and support of Maryland retailers to shopmdtaxfree@marylandtaxes.gov .

Entries also should be posted on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TikTok using the hashtag #shopmdtaxfree.

Click here to read the full article from WJZ13 CBS Baltimore !

Industry Roundtable: How Retailers and Developers Will Respond to Pandemic-Influenced Shopping Habit Changes

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 17:59:01 GMT

Shelter-in-place guidelines mandated by federal and state government during COVID-19 accelerated changes in consumer shopping habits that were already in motion pre-pandemic. As the country continues its emergence from mass shutdowns, retailers and developers are being forced to adjust to new shopping patterns, delivery methods and the physical presence and make-up of stores within malls and neighborhood centers. Cailey Locklair, President of the Maryland Retailers Association and Scott Wimbrow, President and Principal, MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services offer perspectives on what the future holds for retail.

Click here to read Cailey’s responses from NAIOP Maryland!

Maryland Loses 6,400 Jobs in June; Unemployment Increases to 6.2%: Labor Report

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 17:54:50 GMT

Maryland’s economy shed 6,400 jobs in June and the state’s unemployment rate increased from 6.1% to 6.2%, according to preliminary data released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday morning.

By contrast, Maryland added 11,500 jobs in May. The national unemployment rate is at 5.9%.

In a statement accompanying the report, state Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson attributed the dismal jobs numbers to a “serious labor shortage,” throughout Maryland. Robinson noted that there are “over 250,000 jobs available” on the state’s jobs portal and that that is the most of any month in five years.

But is Robinson correct? Are there simply not enough workers available to accommodate employers? And is that why Maryland’s unemployment rate is slightly higher than that of the national average?

“With the employee hiring crisis that has set in in every industry and at all pay levels, we need to get people back to work,” Maryland Retailers Association President Cailey Locklair told MarylandReporter.com. “The lack of employees is a combination of search for work requirements, additional UI funds and many other issues like employees completely switching careers.”

Click here to read the full article from Maryland Reporter!

Maryland businesses work to improve recruitment through signing bonuses

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 18:02:59 GMT

Desperate for workers, many local businesses are turning to signing bonuses to try and recruit new employees.

That shortage continues despite the loosening of coronavirus restrictions and clamping down on unemployment benefits.

According to the Maryland Retailers Association, for many employers, this is a labor crisis. Some businesses are curtailing hours to the point of closing a day or two per week.

…

The Maryland Retailers Association and others are concerned about the search for work requirements the state will reinstate next month.

The state wants job seekers to show proof of only one contact rather than the three normally mandated — and the proof can be as simple as signing up for a class like resume building.

In a statement, the association said, “Although we understand during COVID that it was concerning for many to make job contacts, we are in a much different place now and believe the full search of work should be reinstated.”

Click here to read the full article from WBALTV11!

Maryland companies, retailers say they won’t make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for workers, at least not yet

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 16:25:10 GMT

A day after Maryland hospitals said they would start requiring COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition of employment, businesses, retail associations and consumer groups in the state said they would not rush to make the same decision.

The exception might be in nursing homes, where the coronavirus ravaged staff and residents in the early weeks and months of the pandemic, accounting for much of the state’s early death toll. At least one in Maryland already has imposed immunization requirements on workers.

Elsewhere, companies said they will encourage staffers to get vaccinated, rather than demand they do, though it’s not clear whether that will hold true if the COVID-19 vaccines win full federal approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

…

The Maryland Retailers Association said its members have been trying to incentivize employees to get their immunizations.

“Our organization across the board does not support one size fits all mandates and we believe each employer should be able to create a vaccine policy that fits them,” said Cailey Locklair, the group’s president.

Click here to read the full article from the Baltimore Sun!

More Maryland Unemployment Changes: State will resume work search requirement in July

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 16:29:15 GMT

People receiving unemployment benefits in Maryland will soon have to document that they’re looking for a new job as the state joins others around the nation in reinstating work-search requirements.

The change will come next month as Maryland also cuts benefits to tens of thousands of unemployed residents covered by federal unemployment programs. The changes take effect the week of July 4.

Unemployment insurance traditionally requires recipients to show they’re looking for a job. That changed in 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic hit. Maryland, like other states, suspended its work-search requirement last March as businesses shut down and record-breaking numbers of people lost their jobs.

…

Business groups around the country have been pushing to have the requirement reinstated, saying it will help them fill openings. In Maryland, they include trade groups representing industries such as the retail and hospitality sectors and small businesses.

“Finding employees as demand for hotels is increasing has been a huge challenge,” said Amy Rohrer, president and CEO of the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association.

Meanwhile, employers are concerned about the health of the state’s unemployment trust fund, which affects the taxes businesses pay, said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association.

Click here to read the full article from The Baltimore Sun !

Md. Democratic Party Chair Slams Hogan’s Decision To Reinstate Work Search Requirements For Unemployment Recipients

Tue, 18 May 2021 16:35:20 GMT

Maryland Democratic Party Chair Yvette Lewis Thursday slammed Gov. Larry Hogan’s recent to decision to reinstate the pre-pandemic requirement that Marylanders who receive unemployment insurance benefits be actively searching for work.

Hogan announced the decision at a news conference on Wednesday. The governor said that he directed the state’s Department of Labor to begin working with the federal government to reinstate work search requirements, which are scheduled to be put back into place in late June.

…

The decision to reinstate work search requirements was praised by some of the state’s business leaders and lawmakers.

“Reinstating the search requirement is more important than ever. Employers cannot find employees and are having to close their doors due to staffing shortages,” Maryland Retailers Association President Cailey Locklair said. “With the majority of Marylanders immunized (65 percent of Marylanders have one dose to date with 2.5 million fully vaccinated) employees can safely go back to work.”

Click here to read the full article from the Southern Maryland Chronicle !

Businesses seek to gauge how much pandemic has changed consumers

Fri, 07 May 2021 16:38:30 GMT

Making a quick trip to the store to pick up a product like wrapping paper, laundry detergent or toothpaste was a typical part of everyday life until the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. Nonessential businesses were shut down to in-person visits for several months, and many residents did not want to risk exposure to the disease by leaving their homes.

Consumers had to alter their spending habits due to the restrictions with many turning to online shopping, contactless pay options and curbside pickup. Now 14 months into the pandemic, a growing portion of the population has received vaccinations and a majority of businesses are seeing sales rising.

“I am very optimistic about the outlook for recovery but, having said that, the pandemic has brought about profound change in consumer purchase behavior and therefore businesses need to be mindful and cognizant about those changes and be prepared to better cater to those changes, especially those that are going to stay for the long term,” said Jie Zhang, University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business marketing professor and consumer behavior expert.

Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, Maryland Chain Drug Store Association, Maryland Food Industry Council and Tri State Jewelers Association, understands consumer behavior has changed but notes the question is — are these changes permanent?

“All these things people used to pop into a nameless store and buy, they are not doing that anymore,” she said. “They realized you can get it online. It is going to show up at your house tomorrow and you didn’t have to go anywhere.”

Locklair said there are some items like groceries including meats, seafood and fresh produce that folks will want to pick out themselves. But in the other areas, there are questions about whether these purchasing behaviors are temporary or permanent.

“For many businesses to survive in the future, if they don’t have a website built out where people can look online and see what they have, order it and pick it up, (it will be hard),” Locklair said. “… (Click-and-pick is) the main way brick-and-mortar can compete with online. Even with Amazon, typically you cannot get things the same day. You have to wait at least one day if you are lucky and it is on Prime.

Click here to read the full article from The Daily Record !

When should employees come back to small businesses?

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 16:46:18 GMT

As more people are venturing out of their homes and into public spaces, many small businesses may be wondering when to bring back employees that were furloughed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The decision depends on the type of business and the volume coming into the store, according to Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association.

Click here to read the full article from the Daily Record !

Experts offer tips on positioning business in post COVID economy

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 16:49:39 GMT

As more residents are being vaccinated and restrictions are being scaled back, small businesses remain in survival mode after COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and ever-changing regulations dealt them crippling blows.

The Maryland Daily Record recently hosted a webinar on “Positioning Your Business in a Post-COVID Economy” with panelists Carim Khouzami, BGE’s CEO; Cailey Locklair, Maryland Retailers Association, Maryland Chain Drug Store Association, Maryland Food Industry Council and Tri State Jewelers Association president; Jayson T. Williams, Mayson-Dixon Companies’ CEO and Robert Wells, Miles & Stockbridge Principal.

Moderator Sloane Brown asked each panelist to discuss the most significant impact of the pandemic with their organization and/or clients.

…

Locklair’s organizations represent many retail clients that are being faced with having to achieve rapid revenue growth while simultaneously having to pay off debt.

“On the recovery side, I think, although the hope is that the federal, state and local PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) money would have helped wipe at least some of their debt clean, the fact truly remains that many businesses still have a long way to dig themselves out of and to go,” she said. “That zero multi-month revenue stream was a significant problem and that is why they are having to dig themselves out. Even now what we are seeing is sales have never returned to normal for many of our members so that is a major challenge.”

Click here to read the full article from The Daily Record.

Maryland Adds 13,100 Jobs In March, Unemployment Stays At 6.2%: Labor Report

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 17:02:51 GMT

Maryland’s economy added 13,100 jobs in March and the state’s unemployment rate remained at 6.2%, according to preliminary data released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday morning.

Maryland added 1,200 jobs in February. The national unemployment rate is at 6%.

The state’s business leaders said the latest jobs numbers seem to indicate that although significant challenges lie ahead, Maryland’s economy is slowly recovering from the pandemic lockdowns that were in full force just one year ago.

Click here to read the full article from The Southern Maryland Chronicle .

MRA Participates in Webinar: Positioning Your Business in a Post Covid Economy

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 19:49:47 GMT

MRA President Cailey Locklair participated in a webinar panel from the Daily Record: Positioning Your Business in a Post Covid Economy to discuss how businesses handled the COVID-19 pandemic and how to successfully move forward in the “new normal”.

Click here to watch the recorded webinar!

Businesses heave sigh of relief over unemployment fund — but hope for more

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 19:58:22 GMT

For the Maryland business community, Gov. Larry Hogan’s Wednesday announcement that over a quarter of the $3.9 billion in federal relief funds that had been allocated to the state would go into the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund came as a major relief.

Over $1.7 billion in unemployment benefits had been distributed from the fund since the pandemic’s onset in March, and business owners have been concerned that they will have to pay massive taxes in order to make up the difference, despite having also lost significant revenue themselves over the past few years.

Currently, the balance of the trust fund is around $54 million, not including the incoming federal funds.

Ahead of the General Assembly session, which will conclude next week, many business leaders said that finding a way to avoid this increase was among their top priorities for the session. Cailey Locklair, the president of the Maryland Retailers Association, was one of a coalition of business advocates who wrote to the governor and General Assembly leadership at the beginning of the session about the community’s top priorities.

“At the very top of that list was the unemployment insurance trust fund,” she recalled.

But Locklair isn’t certain this is the end of the business community’s worries about the fund. The $1.1 billion figure is still less than the $1.7 billion in benefits that have been distributed to unemployed people throughout the state over the past year. With no clear end to the pandemic in sight, it’s uncertain whether $1.1 billion will be enough to make the trust fund solvent.

Click here to read the full article from the Daily Record

Business groups send letter to White House calling for swift and flexible economic stabilization efforts

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 15:40:10 GMT

The National Retail Federation and Maryland Retailers Association were among 90 retail industry trade groups that sent a letter to the White House today applauding the Trump Administration and House and Senate leadership for their efforts to protect public health and minimize the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The letter states, “The economic harm from social distancing and mandatory store closures is real. Layoffs and economic hardship will surely follow, particularly for smaller, specialty retailers and brands. The biggest single issue facing the industry right now is liquidity, and federal stimulus efforts must be swift and flexible enough to address the urgent need for access to credit to keep these businesses afloat.”

Click here to read more, and click here to read the letter!

Maryland receives SBA designation for low-interest loans during COVID-19

Sat, 20 Mar 2021 15:41:57 GMT

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that Maryland has received official designation from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for its Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, which provides low-interest federal disaster loans for small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the SBA , the loans will help alleviate financial strain and allow businesses to pay bills, payroll, and accounts payable, with long-term payments stretching up to 30 years. Small businesses and private non-profit organizations can apply directly to the SBA for financial assistance here.

The full article is available here .

Locklair: ‘We need to help women succeed and feel safe’ in the Workplace

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 20:03:26 GMT

Maryland Retailers Association President Cailey Locklair said Wednesday that while employers have a responsibility to make sure that all of their employees feel safe in the workplace that a special emphasis should be placed on the protection and vocational advancement of women.

The interview focused on the state of women-owned businesses under COVID-19, whether employers should require their employees to be vaccinated, and how the ‘MeToo’ movement has impacted women in the workplace.

The movement is now back in the national spotlight as three women have accused New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment. Cuomo has denied the allegations.

Click here to read Cailey’s interview with the MarylandReporter

Bill proposed to allow pharmacies to vaccinate young kids, expand access

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 20:06:32 GMT

With concerns about exposure to COVID-19, the pandemic has limited access to health care for many families.

“Through COVID, we saw major drops in childhood immunization rates,” said Cailey Locklair, the President of the Maryland Chain Drug Store Association.

Maryland Department of Health data showed a 56 percent drop in childhood immunizations when comparing April 2019 and April 2020. The CDC also found sharp declines nationwide.

So in August, a federal order authorized licensed pharmacists to administer any FDA-approved vaccine to children 3 years and older.

Now, bills moving through the state legislature would continue that order until the summer of 2023, expanding access to vaccines at pharmacies.

“Maryland law only allows us [pharmacists] to at the age of 7 and above with a prescription,” said Locklair.

Locklair said this bill would help the many families without primary care physicians.

Click here to read the full article and watch the interview with WMAR Baltimore!

Maryland could be the next state to ban plastic bags

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 20:11:22 GMT

Maryland took a big step this week toward becoming the next state in the nation to ban single-use plastic bags.

The House on Wednesday passed the Plastic Bag Reduction Act, which would prohibit businesses from giving away plastic bags at the point of sale, with a vote of 97-37. The bill next heads to the Senate, where it is also likely to pass.

The prospect of a plastic bag ban in Maryland is exciting to environmentalists, who point out that plastic litter chokes the state’s waterways, harms wildlife and can take decades or centuries to break down.

But business groups are concerned about the impact that a bag ban might have on their bottom lines, especially as they try to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

A patchwork of rules in different jurisdictions is “confusing, not just to consumers, but to businesses that do business in multiple counties,” said Cailey Locklair, the association’s president.

The Retailers Association also hoped to see a “price floor,” or a minimum fee requirement for paper bags that will still be permitted under the law.

The bill, as currently written, doesn’t include a mandatory fee, which Locklair said would encourage customers to bring reusable bags and help businesses recoup some of the cost of paper bags.

Click here to read the full article from delmarva now!

MD bill reimbursing business property taxes would be costly

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 20:08:51 GMT

A Maryland lawmaker is vying for the state to reimburse personal property taxes to businesses reeling from the pandemic, though the refund could cost the state an estimated $365 million.

Last year, Maryland businesses paid an average of $2,860 in these property taxes, which include physical assets that businesses need to operate — like refrigerators at restaurants and swivel chairs at barber shops.

More than 126,000 Maryland businesses filed a personal property tax return in 2020, according to a legislative analysis, and Del. Kevin Hornberger, R–Cecil, said his bill, HB1257, will keep small businesses that are on the brink of collapse from shuttering.

In its letter to the committee, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, a statewide coalition that lobbies for business interests, expressed support for the bill, calling the reimbursements “an aggressive approach” to helping small businesses outlast the pandemic.

In a similar letter, the Maryland Retailers Association supported the bill for the “enormous difference” it could make for struggling businesses.

Click here to read the full article from the Frederick News-Post!

Hogan’s decision to reopen Maryland surprised local officials, business leaders

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 21:20:32 GMT

Maryland’s swift and far-reaching plan to reopen businesses and public venues took many key stakeholders by surprise, interviews with officials, business and health leaders show, and went further than some industry representatives had requested.

Aides to Gov. Larry Hogan (R) declined to answer questions Wednesday about whom the governor consulted before announcing he would lift restrictions on restaurants, bars, gyms and other businesses that had been in place for nearly a year.

Outside public health experts described the decision to reopen Friday at 5 p.m. as “premature” given the state’s coronavirus metrics. Hogan’s order Tuesday also revoked local-level restrictions, leaving county leaders scrambling to decide whether and how to reimpose stricter rules in the face of plateauing coronavirus cases and widening spread of concerning variants.

…

“We’re thrilled,” said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, whose members had been hoping for changes after contact-tracing showed little transmission in retail settings and other states began lifting restrictions.

At the same time, she added, “there’s a good bit of confusion-slash-waiting right now around the county governments.”

Click here to read the full article from the Washington Post!

Opinion: Allow State’s Pharmacists to Administer All FDA-Approved Vaccinations

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 21:17:20 GMT

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an unprecedented strain on the health care system in Maryland, which has led to decreased access to health care for many patients and their families. Maryland pharmacists – who are already trusted resources in their local communities – have been a critical part of the frontline response to the pandemic and have stepped up to help ease the burden to the system.

But there is more that can be done to further empower pharmacists to improve access to care for patients in our state. To help combat the pandemic and future public health crises, legislators should support House Bill 1040 and Senate Bill 736 to expand pharmacist immunization authority to include the administration of all U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccines.

The pandemic has limited access to routine health care for many across Maryland, especially the 150,000 Maryland residents living in rural communities who have long had less access to medical providers. However, there are more than 1,100 pharmacies and nearly 3,300 pharmacists licensed in the state of Maryland who can provide the necessary care that Maryland patients need. Expanding pharmacist vaccination authority would increase options for patients to receive recommended immunizations in safe medical settings.

Click here to read the full op-ed in Maryland Matters!

10 climate bills to watch in the Maryland General Assembly this session

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 21:24:14 GMT

The Baltimore Sun has compiled 10 climate bills to watch this year, including the Plastic Bag Reduction Act

Bill numbers: SB233 / HB314

Starting on July 1, 2022, this bill would prohibit retail establishments from providing customers with plastic carryout bags. It wouldn’t include plastic bags used to package fruits, vegetables, meat, ice, newspapers, dry-cleaned clothes, live animals such as fish or prescription drugs.

Retailers could receive a fine up to $500 for violating the law, but only if they’re issued a written notice of violation and don’t fix the problem within three months.

The Maryland Retailers Association has spoken out against the bill.

“Due to the national paper bag shortage and other supply chain disruptions, bag costs have skyrocketed,” wrote association president Cailey Locklair in a statement. “Maryland’s plastic bag ban will impose massive financial burdens on retailers just as they try to recover from the economic crisis.”

This bill has reached the House floor, and is in committee in the Senate.

Click here to review the full list of bills to watch from the Baltimore Sun!

As Maryland considers a plastic bag ban, a nationwide bag shortage could pose problems

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 21:27:00 GMT

As Maryland considers banning single use plastic bags, a nationwide paper and reusable bag shortage could pose problems.

Philip Rozenski, who works with a U.S packaging manufacturer called Novolex, said companies can’t keep up with the increase in demand.

At least eight states in the U.S have bans in place, but some were delayed due to the pandemic and the shortage.

“There’s none left,” he said.

But even when production catches up with demand, the Maryland Retailers Association are concerned about the cost to switch to paper and reusable bags, which are more expensive than plastic.

Cailey Locklair, who is president of the organization, said the way the state’s bill is written, business would have to give them away for free.

She is hoping lawmakers change the bill and add a fee for customers to help offset some of the cost.

Click here to read the whole article from WMAR Baltimore!

MD retailers concerned pandemic causes issues for proposed statewide plastic bag ban

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 21:29:57 GMT

Maryland is currently considering legislation that would ban single-use plastic bags . But some say the pandemic is complicating things.

Retailers in Maryland say a nationwide shortage of paper bags could make banning plastic bags difficult.

Some manufacturers have switched from making paper bags to making personal protective equipment since the pandemic.

“They’re not capable of producing either paper or reusable bags at a level that we’re going to need to get to here really quickly,” said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association.

Click here to read the whole article from WTOP!

Recycling Market Development Bill Headed for Governor’s Signature in Maryland

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 21:31:46 GMT

Maryland is among several states taking steps to strengthen its local recycling markets, a movement that has gained steam in recent years in response to disruptions from China’s recyclable scrap import bans and tightened contamination standards.

“These markets have dried up because of a significant drop in overseas demand for recyclables,” Stein said during a committee hearing in January.

The bill directs Maryland’s recycling office, part of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), to make recommendations on how to improve markets for recycled materials and products, including measures for reducing contamination. The recycling office would also be tasked with looking for opportunities to bolster recycled material use within the state and encourage state agencies and others to use products with recycled content. It would further be responsible for keeping track of “recyclable materials that are in need of recycling assistance,” according to the bill.

Sarah Price, legislative and membership associate of the Maryland Retailers Association, said the bill is also good for creating jobs and supporting businesses in the state. Her association urged the bill to support an “investment in recycling infrastructure as an alternative to banning single-use products,” in testimony to the Senate Education, Health and Environment committee.

Click here to read the full article from Waste Dive!

Howard County Council Looks to Limit Single-Use Plastic in Restaurants, Retailers

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 21:34:53 GMT

Three members of the Howard County Council introduced legislation this month to prohibit the use of certain single-use plastic by restaurants and retailers.

The Plastics Reduction Act aims to limit single-use plastic such as straws, stirrers and certain condiment packets in the county by requiring retailers and restaurants to supply alternatives to straws and stirrers and by asking before giving out condiment packets and plasticware to customers.

County Council member Christiana Mercer Rigby, who introduced the bill along with Chair Liz Walsh and Vice Chair Opel Jones, said the legislation is all about an incremental, thoughtful change in behavior.

Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, said Rigby reached out to the organization when drafting the legislation.

“We are thankful to her for speaking to us. [We are] supportive of upon-request legislation and are not opposing her bill,” Locklair said.

Click here to read the full article from the Baltimore Sun!

Maryland Business Community Fights for Immunity from Virus Claims

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 21:37:33 GMT

Devastated by the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing Maryland business owners need to deal with are costly lawsuits from customers who contract the virus in their place of business.

But while Maryland’s business community is pushing for liability immunity for businesses — as well as governmental bodies, nonprofits, hospitals and schools that follow COVID-19 safety guidelines — the bill’s critics say it has flaws that could make it less than effective.

Sen. Christopher West, R-Baltimore County, is the lead sponsor of a bill that would prevent any business that follows safety guidelines from being liable for customers that contract the virus while visiting that business. It would cover claims that arise between March 5, 2020, and 180 days after Gov. Larry Hogan lifts the state of emergency caused by the pandemic.

The bill’s supporters say that it is not meant to protect “bad actors” who ignore federal, state or local COVID-19-related guidelines, such as mandating the usage of masks inside an establishment. However, it does include a clause specifying that “an isolated, minor deviation from strict compliance,” such as miscalculating a restaurant’s indoor dining capacity by one or two people, does not deny a business immunity.

“If there is blatant disregard for laws, executive orders, regulations that have come out, you are not going to be protected under this bill. That business has to have demonstrated (that they are) responsibly following all of the regulations that have come out from the state or county,” says Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, one of many state and local industry groups backing the bill.

Click here to read the full article from the Daily Record!

Hogan’s RELIEF Act, Stimulus Payments Get 1st Hearing in Maryland Senate

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 21:39:11 GMT

Gov. Larry Hogan’s $1 billion economic relief proposal received its first hearing Tuesday in the state Senate, where a committee chair described the bill as one of the most important pieces of legislation the General Assembly will consider this year.

The hearing on the bill, however, lasted only a few minutes and brought almost no input from lawmakers, offering few clues about their intentions for the bill.

Hogan’s RELIEF Act — which stands for Recovery for the Economy, Livelihoods, Industries, Entrepreneurs and Families — would offer direct stimulus payments to certain working Marylanders, eliminate state income tax on unemployment benefits and offer tax breaks to businesses.

Click here to read the full article from Herald-Mail Media !

Maryland Retailers Look to Legislative Session to Support Businesses Across the State

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 21:41:10 GMT

The COVID-19 pandemic has raged across retailers large and small with repercussions that will be felt long after the sting of the vaccine needles fade. Businesses across the state are struggling and when they suffer, their employees and consumers are directly affected. When the Maryland General Assembly convenes for the 2021 legislative session in January, the Maryland Retailers Association (MRA), in concert with Maryland’s business coalition, will be laser-focused on helping businesses weather the challenges we all currently face.

Click here to read the full article from The Daily Record!

Businesses of Every Sort Looking for Help During 2021 Session

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 21:42:51 GMT

Business groups around the state will be looking for assistance from state government during the 2021 General Assembly session as they struggle to regain their footing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that has hobbled the state’s economy.

Those industries aren’t just looking for financial assistance to offset losses. A number are seeking policy changes, including liability protection and holding the line on changes to laws or regulations that would affect business owners.

Click here to read the full article from The Daily Record !

Small Businesses Struggle, Hold on to Hope for More Government Relief

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 21:44:57 GMT

After the federal government approved a stimulus bill in early 2020 to offset the economic damage created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Benn Ray, owner of Baltimore’s Atomic Books, said spending at his shop improved.

Despite obstacles to opening due to the coronavirus’ spread, once the federal government approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act commerce at his store neared normal levels. When those funds dried up shopping at Atomic Books fell off.

“Right now everyone’s focus is on just how to survive, but I think the general consensus is there needs to be another round of stimulus, and there needs to be more help (for small businesses),” Ray said.

Shops like Ray’s in Maryland, however, will need to find a way to muddle through without additional federal aid to consumers at least through early 2021.

Click here to read the full article from The Daily Record!

Maryland Unemployment Drops to Lowest Since Beginning of Pandemic

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 21:47:26 GMT

Maryland added 24,100 jobs in November and the state’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.8% to 6.8%, according to preliminary data released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday morning.

The latest data means that Maryland’s unemployment rate is now at its lowest level since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. It was initially estimated that the state added 10,200 jobs in October but that figure was later revised upwards to 25,500 jobs. The national unemployment rate is at 6.7%.

MarylandReporter.com asked the state’s business and political leaders to assess the latest jobs numbers.

Click here to read the full article from the Maryland Reporter!

Carozza, Hartman Talk 2021 Session Goals

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 21:49:03 GMT

Delegate Wayne Hartman (R-38C) and Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38) detailed challenges and priorities for the 2021 Maryland Legislative session during a Zoom meeting hosted by the Ocean Pines Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.

Carozza said since the Maryland Senate adjourned its last session on March 18, just as coronavirus began altering life in the U.S. and worldwide, her focus has been on constituent service.

Carozza said the pandemic-related financial challenges have reached the critical level for many small businesses on the Eastern Shore, especially those in the restaurant and tourism industries.

In preparation for the 90-day session that opens on Jan. 13, small business representatives from the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the Maryland Retailers Association and the Maryland Restaurant Association have identified financial priorities tied to covid recovery.

Click here to read the full article from the Bayside Gazette!

Charles County Sheriff’s Officers Receive Maryland Retailers Association 2020 Law Enforcement Award

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 21:54:43 GMT

Detective Christina Gilroy and Police Officer First Class Jack Austin of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office were recently awarded the 2020 Law Enforcement Award by the Maryland Retailers Association. The officers were recognized during a virtual ceremony held on October 29.

In 2019, Detective Gilroy and PFC Austin investigated an increase in thefts from local big box stores. Through their tireless efforts and with the support of retail establishments including Target, Home Depot, and Walmart, they were able to develop leads, obtain search warrants, and eventually arrest the suspects in connection with the thefts. More than $100,000 in merchandise was stolen and approximately $80,000 in merchandise was recovered from this theft scheme. Since the charging of the suspects, the thefts have greatly decreased in our area.

Click here to read the full article from the Southern Maryland Chronicle!

Shop Local Campaign Revs Up In MD

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 22:15:36 GMT

Shopping local does not mean compromising health and safety, according to Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot. Franchot has launched the annual “Shop Maryland for the Holidays” campaign that encourages Marylanders to spend money in their local communities.

Franchot told WGMD’s Mike Bradley that eight months into the pandemic, small businesses and restaurateurs know what they’re doing when it comes to keeping their premises clean and safe.

“They protect themselves, their employees, their customers… they’re not about to do something reckless,” Franchot said. At the same time, Franchot added that small businesses have been “decimated” over the course of the pandemic.

This year, nine credit unions based in Maryland have agreed to support the local shopping campaign by offering rewards points to members for their local purchases between now and the end of the year.

“It is more important than ever to support your local businesses that have been hit the hardest by COVID shutdowns,” Maryland Retailers Association President Cailey Locklair said. “These businesses have done everything in their power to create a safe environment for you to shop in and need your business!”

Click here to read the full article from WGMD!

Business Coalition Campaigns Against Maryland’s Proposed Digital Ad Tax

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 21:58:21 GMT

Business advocates haven’t had much luck in recent years convincing the General Assembly to sustain Gov. Larry Hogan ‘s vetoes of what they consider to be onerous laws.

They hope things will be different in 2021.

A coalition of businesses, chambers of commerce and other organizations, which calls itself Marylanders For Tax Fairness, is seeking to stop the General Assembly from implementing a new tax on digital advertising services. The group recently launched a website and is circulating a petition calling for lawmakers to sustain a veto by Gov. Larry Hogan .

The General Assembly approved the digital ad tax in the closing days of the truncated legislative session earlier this year. Democrats passed the ad tax by adding it onto a bill increasing Maryland’s tobacco tax during the amendment process. The ad tax would potentially raise $250 million in the first year of implementation, with the proceeds intended to be used for a massive reform of Maryland’s public education system planned by lawmakers.

Click here to read the full article from the Baltimore Business Journal!

Maryland Businesses Launch Campaign Against Pioneering Digital Ad Tax

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 15:15:59 GMT

A group of Maryland business groups is launching a campaign Tuesday to persuade state lawmakers to nix a pioneering tax on digital ads.

The coalition, which calls itself Marylanders for Tax Fairness, describe the tax as a poorly timed initiative that would ultimately hurt small businesses that advertise online.

The coalition includes the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the state’s chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business, the Maryland Retailers Association, and the Maryland,-Delaware-D.C. Press Association.

The Washington Post is a member of the association. The owners of The Post and other news organizations opposed the tax because they believed it would apply to smaller news publishers that rely on digital ads.

Click here to read the full article from the Washington Post!

Coalition Forms to Oppose Veto Override of Digital Tax Bill

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 15:13:18 GMT

Marylanders for Tax Fairness, a coalition of businesses, advocacy groups and individuals, launched a campaign on Tuesday to oppose the General Assembly’s potential override of a $350 million tax revenue bill vetoed this spring by Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R).

The digital advertising bill was originally introduced by Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City). In the final days of session, it was combined with other revenue-generating tax bills as part of an overall plan to cover increased costs of education reform.

Ferguson and Democrats who supported the legislation said it was intended to target only a small number of massive companies.

“This tax affects companies only making $100,000,000 or more a year on the free exploitation of Marylanders’ personal and private data,” Ferguson’s office said in response to the ad. “We have, and will continue to stand side-by-side with small businesses to protect them from being taken advantage of by multinational corporations. Shame on these out-of-state corporations that are looking to harm Maryland small businesses instead of paying their fair share.”

Opponents in the legislature and business community argue that the costs of the legislation will be passed on to smaller companies — and in turn to consumers.

“Although this looks like a tax applicable to only large companies, businesses and consumers should not be fooled,” said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association. “Ultimately, small businesses will bear this cost and consumers at the end of the day will pay for it.”

Click here to read the full article from Maryland Matters!

Market Profile: From Get-Go, MRA Steered Essential Businesses Through COVID-19

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 15:09:39 GMT

Asked what the Maryland Retailers Association has been up to since March, President Cailey Locklair said, “I have a list a mile long.”

MRA partnered with the State Emergency Management Agency to give away 30,000 facecloth masks to its sectors, which was a massive undertaking.

The association also joined with Scott’s, one of its retail members, to manufacture and distribute 2,000 face shields to any business that needed them.

“Those were some of the free face covering giveaways that we were a part of to help them because…a couple months ago, people couldn’t get face masks like you can get them now,” Locklair said. “So that was really critical and helpful to businesses at the time.”

In addition, for a couple of months, MRA was sending out daily emails to help its membership interpret new information, such as state executive orders. It also built a website, which could prove the most helpful accomplishment.

Click here to read the full article from the Baltimore Business Journal!

Franchot Urges Residents to Shop With Maryland Businesses

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 15:17:58 GMT

Comptroller Peter Franchot, along with partners from the retail and restaurant industries, today kicked off the annual Shop Maryland for the Holidays campaign with a virtual press conference to announce a new “buy local” initiative.

Nine Maryland-based credit unions are offering rewards points to their members that shop at local businesses from now until the end of the year. Those purchases will be tracked through credit card transactions. Each credit union has determined their own system for how they’re rewarding members who shop local.

Click here to read the article from Eye on Annapolis!

Shop Local for the Holidays Campaign Launches

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 14:31:39 GMT

The holiday season is coming once again. Usually it’s a time small businesses look forward to as a big economic boost but this year is much different.

“We have been faced with something we never thought we would. I certainly never planned for it,” said Claudia Towles, the owner of aMuse Toys in Fells Point.

Comptroller Peter Franchot said his experts estimate more than one sixth of small businesses in Maryland have closed or will close permanently because of the pandemic.

“That’s a lot of dreams coming to an end,” said Franchot.

Every year, he encourages Marylanders to shop local and he said this year is much more important. The pandemic has changed how and where we shop.

Click here to read the article from WMAR Baltimore !

Franchot Encourages Residents to Shop Maryland for the Holidays

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 14:20:06 GMT

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot announced Monday that the annual Shop Maryland for the Holidays initiative was starting early this year, another reminder of the abnormal nature of 2020.

In the past, Franchot made rounds around the state, visiting local small businesses. This year’s announcement came virtually, however, streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.

“In a normal year, we probably would not be starting this (early), but this is not a normal year as everyone has noticed,” said Franchot. “It’s very important that we support local retailers. These small businesses have always been there for us. These are the places where you walk in and the owner of the business actually recognizes you.”

Click here to read the article from the Cumberland Times-News !

Two Local College Students Win Scholarship for Helping Businesses During Pandemic

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 14:37:49 GMT

College students from across the state applied for the Shop Maryland-Tax Free Week Scholarship. Participants were asked to explain how they helped businesses survive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two statewide winners are from Montgomery County. They were recognized by the Maryland Retailers Association and Comptroller Peter Franchot during a virtual presentation on Friday.

Mirian Fuentes Romero, who attends the Maryland Institute College of Art, got first place. Kyle Fritschi, from the University of Maryland, came in second.

Click here to read the full story from MyMCMedia and to view an interview with the winners !

Maryland Retailers Association Announce Winners of Tax-Free Week Scholarship Contest

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 14:37:27 GMT

Comptroller Peter Franchot joined Maryland Retailers Association President Cailey Locklair to announce the winners of this year’s Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week scholarship contest, which this year asked Maryland students to explain how they helped a business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members with the Maryland Retailers Association say, Mirian Fuentes Romero, a junior at Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, received the $1,000 top prize for supporting two family businesses and her church using her graphic design skills and hands-on contributions.

Kyle Fritschi, a junior at the University of Maryland, College Park, was selected for the $500 runner-up scholarship award for his continued dedication as an employee at Brooke Grove Retirement Village in Sandy Spring. A childhood cancer survivor who is immunocompromised, Fritschi took on extra shifts when there was an outbreak of COVID-19 among residents and staff.

Click here to read the full story from WCBC!

Restaurants Prepare for Statewide Styrofoam Ban

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 14:42:18 GMT

Several new laws are now in effect across the state: One of the laws is a statewide ban on polystyrene in Maryland, the first of its kind in the nation.

The styrofoam ban was supposed to go into effect July 1, but because of the coronavirus pandemic, the state postponed the implementation until Oct. 1. But restaurants say that’s not long enough.

“With corona and now the styrofoam ban, it’s definitely taken a big toll on every business out there and every carryout especially,” Stacy Korologos, of Double T Diner said.

…

“Waste is not going to be reduced by this piece of legislation. Consumers will now just buy another disposable product and we’ll have the exact same issue we’re trying to address,” Cailey Locklair, president of Maryland Retailers Association, said.

Locklair says this was a missed opportunity for the state to invest in infrastructure to recycle materials already on the market.

Click here to read the full article from WBAL!

Unlike most of the country, Maryland consumers can’t purchase alcohol at grocery stores. That may change soon.

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 14:41:01 GMT

Proponents of reforming Maryland’s beverage alcohol laws are optimistic that next year the Free State will join the majority of the country in granting grocery stores and chain stores the freedom to sell beer, wine and maybe even liquor.

Forty-seven states and D.C. allow grocery stores to sell beer, and 40 and D.C. allow them to sell wine, according to the Maryland Retailers Association. Maryland’s alcohol distribution is governed by a 1978 law that explicitly denies alcohol licenses to chain and discount stores, poorly defined, and limits licenses to Maryland residents, who can only hold one license. Some stores were grandfathered in the 1978 law, which is why the Giant grocery in White Oak, in Montgomery County, sells beer and wine but other Giant outlets don’t. And Maryland gives considerable leeway to counties and cities in regulating alcohol sales, so you will see a few stores with the same or similar names, but you won’t see that they have different family members listed on the licenses.

It’s a messy hodgepodge that does not serve Maryland consumers well. The law was designed to protect the mom-and-pop beer and wine shops that dominate the retail landscape but are beholden to large wholesalers in the national three-tier system established after the repeal of Prohibition. A smattering of independent, quality-minded retailers have chipped away at the margins, especially in cities such as Annapolis, Baltimore and Frederick — and, more recently in Montgomery County. But Marylanders lag behind the rest of the country in their freedom to purchase beverage alcohol.

Click here to read the full article from the Washington Post!

Maryland Restaurants Brace for Styrofoam Ban to Begin Thursday

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:46:38 GMT

Restaurants in Maryland are bracing themselves as the state’s styrofoam ban is set to take effect on Thursday.

Maryland’s ban, which passed last March , aims to cut back on polystyrene’s harmful impact on the environment and state’s waterways and wildlife. The ban includes items such as cups, plates, carryout containers and trays.

The original deadline to stop using the products was July 1, but on June 11, it was pushed back by the coronavirus pandemic.

…

“It just really isn’t the right time to be doing this in the middle of a global pandemic,” Maryland Retailer Association president Cailey Locklair told FOX 5 Baltimore .

She notes that the pandemic has led to major supply chain issues.

“You have facilities across the United States and globally that have been shut down,” Locklair told the outlet. “They are not manufacturing in the way that they were before. We all understand basic economics. When supply is low and demand is higher that increases prices.”

Click here to read the article from Yahoo Finance!

Industry Experts Fear MD Styrofoam Ban Will Further Hurt Restaurants Amid Pandemic

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:44:29 GMT

This week Maryland will become the first state in the country to ban styrofoam food containers. Lawmakers passed this last year, worried about polystyrene’s impacts on the environment and Maryland waterways and wildlife. After delays due to COVID-19, the ban takes effect this Thursday.

Some in the industry worry this is hurting restaurants already pushed to the limit during the pandemic. This week all Maryland schools, restaurants and any place serving food is no longer allowed to use polystyrene containers. Those who do face potential fines.

“It just really isn’t the right time to be doing this in the middle of a global pandemic,” Cailey Locklair says.

Locklair is president of the Maryland Retailers Association which fought the ban before it passed last year.

“It absolutely does cost more,” she says for businesses to use alternative products.

The ban was supposed to go into effect on July 1st, but was delayed until October 1st because of the pandemic.

Click here to read the article from Fox 5 News Baltimore!

Howard County Chamber of Commerce President Optimistic About the Numbers in the Latest US Jobs Report

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 14:49:08 GMT

Howard County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Leonardo McClarty said the numbers in the federal government’s latest jobs report are both “favorable and encouraging” and that he expects Maryland’s economy to improve as the state enters the final stage of its coronavirus recovery plan.

“The jobs report is favorable and encouraging,” McClarty told MarylandReporter.com in an email on Friday. “I do expect things will get better in Maryland now that we have moved to phase 3. This move to the next phase is extremely important for restaurants and hospitality. It still remains to be seen how that impacts sales as many patrons are still hesitant to meet in large groups or patronize establishments where outside seating is unavailable.”

The report was released by the U.S. Department of Labor on Friday morning. It said that in August 1.4 million jobs were added to the economy and that the unemployment rate dropped from 10.2% to 8.4%. The economy grew by 1.8 million jobs in July, according to the department.

Click here to read more!

Maryland Adds 53,900 Jobs in July; Unemployment Drops to 7.6%

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 14:52:42 GMT

Maryland added 53,900 jobs in July and the state’s unemployment rate dropped from 8% to 7.6%, according to preliminary data released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday morning.

The state added 68,300 jobs in June. The national unemployment rate is at 10.2%.

MarylandReporter.com asked the state’s business leaders to assess the jobs numbers.

“There is cause for concern on these numbers,” Howard County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Leonardo McClarty said in an email on Friday.” It shows that many businesses are still continuing to struggle despite our economy starting to open. In some instances, the jobs we are seeing come back were previous furloughs or a reduction of hours. In some instances, we won’t see a real uptick in job growth until there is consumer confidence that they will not get sick if they attend a public gathering.”

Click here to read more!

Shop Maryland Tax Free Week Set to Begin August 9

Sun, 09 Aug 2020 14:54:50 GMT

Beginning Sunday, August 9, Marylanders will be able to take advantage of Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week. Comptroller Peter Franchot says that the week is annually one of his favorites of the year as residents can experience big savings, scholarship opportunities for college and trade school students and business can hopefully see a rise in sales.

As part of the week, the Maryland Retailers Association is offering scholarships to two students attending a Maryland university, college or trade school. The students must explain how they helped a Maryland business keep the lights on during the COVID-19 pandemic. Entries can be submitted via email ( shopmdtaxfree@marylandtaxes.gov ) or on Facebook , Instagram or Twitter .

Click here to read more!

Tax-Free Week ‘Particularly Critical’ for Maryland This Year

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 15:04:23 GMT

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Maryland’s tax-free week has taken on more importance, a state official said Tuesday.

“This year, it’s particularly critical that people take advantage of this,” Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot said in a telephone interview.

Shoppers will see savings during Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week Aug. 9-15 because the 6% state sales tax will be waived on specific purchases, he said. Franchot also urged people to shop at local small businesses that have suffered because of the pandemic.

Click here to read more!

Whether You’re Going Back to School or Not, Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week Kicks Off Sunday

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 15:02:55 GMT

Just in time for virtual back to school, Maryland’s annual tax-free week begins Sunday. And it’s not restricted to back-to-school items. The Comptroller of Maryland has published a long list of items that are tax exempt during the week.

Students attending a Maryland university, college, or trade school are eligible to win a scholarship as part of tax-free week. The Maryland Retailers Association offers a $1,000 first-place scholarship and a second-place scholarship of $500 to students who tell how they helped a Maryland business stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Click here to read more!

Franchot Renews Call for State to Provide $500M in Relief to Small Businesses

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 15:01:53 GMT

Comptroller Peter Franchot called on Gov. Larry Hogan to spend $500 million from the state’s rainy day fund to provide grants to small businesses impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, saying they “need more than rhetoric.”

Under Franchot’s plan, the state would distribute $500 million from its rainy day fund to small businesses in the form of $10,000 grants that could be used to help cover operating costs. The state would partner with local chambers of commerce and the Maryland Retailers Association to vet applications.

Click here to read more!

Shop Local, Save Money

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 14:58:46 GMT

Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week starts on Sunday, August 9 and runs through Saturday, August 15. Maryland Retailers Association President Cailey Locklair appeared as a guest on the Comptroller’s podcast Revenews about how important the week is for businesses coping with the impacts of Covid-19, and how Maryland college students can win scholarships during tax-free week.

Click here to listen!

Maryland Bankruptcies Continue to Climb During Pandemic

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 14:57:28 GMT

More than 7,200 of Maryland’s businesses have filed for bankruptcy this year, according to the latest data from the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), which covers the months of January through July.

Of those businesses 73% (5,274) filed for Chapter 7 relief (liquidation) and 26% (1,906) filed for Chapter 13 relief (payment reorganization).

Maryland ranks 42nd among states with the greatest year-to-year increase in bankruptcy filings.

Maryland Retailers Association President Cailey Locklair called the bankruptcy numbers “startling.”

“We need elected officials to intervene,” she said. “Providing some type of subsidy would help as this will continue to worsen with increases in costs to operate and less revenue coming in. I’m afraid some companies are being crushed as they try to dig themselves out of a hole they didn’t create.”

Click here to read more!

Senator McCray: If Congress Does Not Pass the Stimulus Maryland Could Be Forced to Make Budget Cuts

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 15:05:43 GMT

If Congress cannot come to an agreement on the $1 trillion coronavirus stimulus package they considering than Maryland lawmakers may be forced to consider making cuts to the state budget, according to a member of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.

Negotiations on Capitol Hill over the legislation have stalled. One of main areas of contention is a proposal by Senate Republicans to reduce the enhanced unemployments benefits many Americans have been receiving since the beginning of the pandemic from an extra $600 a week to an extra $200 a week. Democrats have said the proposal is a non-starter.

Authorization for the extra weekly benefits is set to expire tomorrow. That means if an agreement is not reached by then UI claimants will only receive benefits subsidized by their respective states. Under that scenario, Marylanders will be eligible for a maximum weekly benefit of $430. Right now the maximum weekly benefit for Marylanders is over $1,000. Maryland’s budget has been frozen since April due to the fiscal concerns associated with the pandemic.

Click here to read more!

Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week is August 9-15

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 15:11:57 GMT

In a year that has been anything but normal, Comptroller Peter Franchot reminds Marylanders that one thing remains the same: Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week begins Sunday, August 9th with big savings for customers, scholarship opportunities for college and trade school students and a catalyst to spur sales for retailers.

From August 9-15, any single qualifying article of clothing or footwear priced $100 or less – regardless of how many items are purchased at the same time – will be exempt from the state’s six percent sales tax. The first $40 of any backpack purchase is also tax free.

The Maryland Retailers Association (MRA) is once again offering scholarships to two students attending a Maryland university, college or trade school ($1,000 for first place and $500 for second place) by explaining how they helped a Maryland business keep the lights on during the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples might include helping to build or improve a company website, creating unique content for a social media account or going above and beyond as a store employee to fulfill online orders.

Entries may be submitted via email to shopmdtaxfree@marylandtaxes.gov or they can be posted on the tax-free week’s social media pages: Shop Maryland Tax Free on Facebook and @shopmdtaxfree on Twitter and Instagram . Business owners, parents, colleagues and friends are encouraged to submit a nomination. Students may also self-nominate.

Click here to read more!

MRA Helps Lead, Supporting Maryland’s Businesses & Citizens

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 15:08:21 GMT

Pugh & Tiller’s Megan Bozman spoke with Maryland Retailers Association (MRA) President, Cailey Locklair , about the impact of COVID-19 on retail businesses and Maryland citizens.

Click here to read about how MRA is helping businesses during COVID-19!

Senator Carter: Marylanders Fear Eviction When Federal Money Runs Out

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 15:14:40 GMT

Sen. Jill Carter (D-Baltimore City) said some Marylanders have expressed concern that they might be evicted from their homes during the coronavirus pandemic even though there are restrictions to protect people from being kicked out of their homes.

“There’s probably a fear that not all landlords will honor the moratorium….I think the other issue is that even though some people’s rent is being delayed-that if they’ve been unemployed and have not received their unemployment benefits-then they still will not be in a position to pay the current rent or the back rent. And, so, they’re worried that things aren’t going to line up and they’ll still be on the street,” Carter told MarylandReporter.com in a phone interview on Tuesday.

Carter elaborated on that point.

“There are a few constituents that have written about a fear of losing their home-whether it be rent or whether it be mortgage.”

…

“We have members who are landlords and tenants, some of whom have been able to operate during this entire time, and many who have not been able to,” Maryland Retailers Association president Cailey Locklair said. “This issue is one that needs to be threaded carefully to avoid the “haves and have nots” for obvious reasons. When businesses and people do not have jobs, they are unable to meet rent obligations, but this produces a domino effect with landlords who in turn do not have the income to do the same. Comprehensive plans must be put into place to protect both parties as protecting one and not the other causes an equal and/or unintended opposite reaction.”

Click here to read more!

Maryland’s Business Leaders Say They Are Concerned About the Sharp Increase in COVID Infections Among the State’s Millennials

Sun, 12 Jul 2020 15:16:50 GMT

If the coronavirus positivity rate continues to sharply increase among Marylanders under age 35 it could have serious consequences for the state’s economy, according to Maryland’s business leaders.

The positivity rate for Marylanders under age 35 is 6.33 percent, according to data released by the state’s Department of Health on Friday. That figure is 84 percent higher than that of Marylanders age 35 and over, whose positivity rate is 3.44 percent. The state’s overall positivity rate is 4.34 percent-a new low that comes as Maryland is already doing better than most states in the country at containing the spread of the virus.

Click here to read more!

Shoppers, Stores Cope With Mask Issues

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 15:19:06 GMT

On June 22, the first day the Valley Mall reopened, Julie Rohm stopped a shopper and offered her a free face mask. The customer, who had dropped by the mall on a trip from Ohio, was surprised to learn that she had to wear a mask in Maryland retail establishments. “It didn’t dawn on her at all,” Rohm said.

Rohm described the exchange as “very cordial.” But she said it was an early sign of how the coronavirus, and efforts to stop it, have put new requirements on shoppers and sellers. She also said it was an early sign that different rules in different states have led to confusion.

In Maryland, for example, Gov. Larry Hogan has issued an executive order requiring people older than age 9 to wear masks or face coverings on public transportation and inside stores and restaurants (except when eating). Adult customers with children ages 2 through 9 are to use “reasonable efforts to cause those children to wear face coverings” while in stores and restaurants.

A person who does not comply can face a criminal charge that includes a penalty of up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000, according to the order. Businesses can face civil penalties.

…

“As time has gone on, the more people have kind of become frustrated” with the requirements, Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, said on Tuesday.

She said the association’s members are reporting more confrontations over the mask requirements, and they put businesspeople in an uncomfortable position.

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Maryland Businesses, Employees Caught in the Middle on Masks

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 15:20:53 GMT

Maryland businesses and their employees find themselves increasingly caught in a battle zone, expected to enforce the governor’s order that store customers wear face masks during the coronavirus pandemic even as some patrons are bridling at following that order.

Employees and managers are having to persuade balking and sometimes angry customers that they need to wear the face coverings, all while avoiding a confrontation or summoning police.

Click here to read more!

It’s Time to Allow All Maryland Businesses to Reopen

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 15:22:10 GMT

Del. Brian Chisholm (R-Anne Arundel) said it is time to allow all businesses in the state that are still closed due to restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus to reopen provided they follow recommended safety guidelines.

At a news conference on Wednesday Gov. Larry Hogan said that effective Friday at 5 p.m. the order he gave in March requiring the closure of all non-essential businesses will be lifted. The move will mark the state’s entry into Stage 2 of the recovery process. It will allow the reopening of small businesses such as law offices, technology firms, travel agencies, and specialty vendors. Personals services such as nail salons and tanning salons will also be allowed to reopen provided service is by appointment only and strict safety protocols are followed. Movie theaters, malls, and gyms will remain closed.

“We should be reopening completely. I don’t see any point in keeping anybody closed now as long as they can follow certain CDC guidelines if they wish,” Chisholm told MarylandReporter.com in a phone interview on Thursday.

Click here to read more!

Some Customers Fearful Of COVID-19 May Not Come Back To Their Favorite Stores

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 15:23:36 GMT

With Maryland’s entry into Stage of Its “Road Map to Recovery,” many retailers have been allowed to open their stores, although with limits on the number of people allowed inside.

But Maryland Retailers Association President Cailey Locklair says some consumers my be reluctance to come back, fearing they may contact the coronavirus. She emphasized that retailers are taking measures to keep customer and employees safe. “And they’re not going to take risks,” she says. “That’s just not what you’re going see. You’re not going to see businesses ignoring CDC guidance, or ignoring recommendations that our association put out, or the Governor put out.”

Click here to read more !

What Retailers (and all businesses) Need to Know about Phased Reopening

Wed, 27 May 2020 15:25:18 GMT

HR & Cocktails is a podcast that talks about compliance, challenges, great ideas and mishaps, and how Human Resources can move from an administrative, overhead department to a strategic contributor to the bottom line.

Episode 10 : What Retailers (and all businesses) Need to Know about Phased Reopening

Guest – Cailey Locklair, President, Maryland Retailers Association

As states begin a phased reopening of business, particularly retail, what do businesses need to know. While most businesses are focused (rightfully) on reopening from a financial perspective, they are also employers. New social distancing and face covering requirements are proving to be a challenge for business and their employees. Additionally, there are other considerations that are impacting businesses as they open. Cailey discusses these challenges and the resources available to ensure that the reopening process is as smooth as possible. We discuss this and more…and of course, we talk about cocktails.

Click here to listen!

Some Maryland Businesses are Preparing to Reopen. But Don’t Expect the Economy to Bounce Back Quickly.

Thu, 14 May 2020 15:26:39 GMT

Retailers are pushing to get back to work with curbside service immediately, which has so far only been possible for those shops that have an online presence. Many Main Street-type businesses have remained shut down because they can’t afford shipping or websites, said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association.

“Right now, there needs to be curbside,” Locklair said. “You can do the whole thing contactless.”

Click here to read more!

Retailers Urge Hogan to Allow Greater Use of Curbside Pickup

Fri, 01 May 2020 15:29:20 GMT

Maryland retailers who were forced to close last month because they were deemed “non-essential” have seen a crushing drop in sales since restrictions on commerce were issued.

Now, they are begging the Hogan administration to allow greater use of curbside pickup.

Allowing customers to call in orders and pay by credit card, then swing by to pick up their purchases — bagged, outside the store, with no person-to-person contact — would go a long way toward recouping some of the sales they are losing. And it would be safe, they contend.

“We’ve had six calls in the last hour asking if they can pick up,” said Claudia Towles, a retailer. “Currently it is illegal to do curbside pickup as a non-essential retailer.”

Click here to read more !

Carroll County Commissioner Urges Action to Reopen Maryland’s Economy from Coronavirus Restrictions

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 15:31:03 GMT

Gov. Larry Hogan has implemented social distancing measures in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus. But some residents, as well as a Carroll County commissioner, are raising their voices in frustration over those measures and the resulting economic damage.

Commissioner Eric Bouchat, R-District 4, wants to see healthy people return to work as soon as possible, though he acknowledged that a gradual opening is likely the best way to reopen business and other activity that has been shut down.

Those who can’t work are hurting, he said. He fears jobless individuals will experience depression, anxiety, and turn to drug abuse or alcoholism. “The economic shutdown in the long term is going to do more harm to our society than the pandemic,” he said.

Hogan said Wednesday social distancing measures — including a stay-at-home order for all Marylanders and the closure of nonessential businesses — are working and the state is now in a position to begin planning its recovery phase.

Click here to read more .

Retail Sales Plunge Unprecedented 8.7% Amid Shutdown

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 15:33:13 GMT

U.S. retail sales plummeted 8.7% in March, an unprecedented decline, as the viral outbreak forced an almost complete lockdown of commerce nationwide.

The deterioration of sales far outpaced the previous record decline of 3.9% that took place during the depths of the Great Recession in November 2008.

Auto sales dropped 25.6%, while clothing store sales collapsed, sliding 50.5%, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. Restaurants and bars reported a nearly 27% fall in revenue.

“This is crushing our economy, and that’s not being dramatic,” said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association.

Click here to read more !

Study: Maryland’s Small Businesses Are Faring Better Than Most States

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 15:35:34 GMT

Maryland ranks near the bottom among states whose small businesses are most affected by the coronavirus, according to a study released on Monday.

The WalletHub study found that Maryland ranked 40th among 51 jurisdictions in terms of small businesses most affected due to the virus. Hawaii ranked first and the District of Columbia ranked last. Maryland ranked 48th among states with the highest average annual federal small-business funding per GDP. Mississippi had the lowest annual federal small-business funding per GDP.

The study based its findings on three criteria: “Impact & Access to Resources,” “Small-Business Financial Conditions” and “Business Environment & Workforce Support.” The three criteria are evaluated across 12 metrics. Each metric is weighted on a scale of 0-100. WalletHub used data from U.S. government agencies such as the Census Bureau, the Small Business Administration, the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Science Foundation.

…

Maryland Retailers Association President Cailey Locklair Tolle said many of the small-business owners she has spoken to are “frustrated.” Tolle said many of them “need help navigating the resources available” and that those who have “are anxiously awaiting financial assistance.”

Tolle said of the WalletHub study: “Compared to other states, I’m not sure per capita how many small businesses we have, but if it is fewer than others, that could contribute to these findings.”

Click here to read more!

Coronavirus-Related Closures Tough On Some Retailers

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 15:37:20 GMT

The closure of non-essential businesses to help in the fight against the coronavirus has been hard on retailers. “There are sectors, entire sectors, of the retail economy that are shut down right now. And that’s very concerning for what this is going to look like in the long run,”: says Cailey Locklair, President of the Maryland Retailers Association.

She says some of these small companies may not survive. “The longer that this goes on, I would make an argument that many of them are not going to be able to bounce back,” she says.

Click here to learn more!

“The US Economy is in a Depression,” UMD Business School Professor Says

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 15:38:57 GMT

The coronavirus has plunged the U.S. economy into a depression, according to a one-time chief economist at the U.S. International Trade Commission who is now affiliated with University of Maryland.

“The U.S. economy is in a depression. That is a recession from which it cannot easily recover,” Peter Morici, a professor emeritus at UMD’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, told MarylandReporter.com in a phone interview on Friday. “In the weeks since the coronavirus broke, our political and business leaders have dickered and dallied. And now they reap the whirlwind —our citizens and workers be damned.” …

Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, called the numbers in the jobs report “staggering” and said members of her organization “fear they will continue to increase.” Locklair said the current situation is without precedent. “The fact is there is no manual to navigate this situation as it is unprecedented. Retailers are doing the best they can to manage restrictions to keep their employees and consumers as safe as possible. Our job has been to provide as much support, guidance and information we can- it’s all hands on deck.”

Click here to read more !

U.S. Must Do ‘Much, Much More’ to Help Small Businesses, Senators Say

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 15:43:34 GMT

The federal government must move urgently to help small businesses survive the sharp downturn in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, Maryland’s U.S. senators said Thursday.

On Thursday the Maryland Retailers Association expressed a host of concerns in letters to Hogan and leaders of the General Assembly.

In addition to cash-flow worries, businesses are concerned about security and potential evictions, said Cailey Locklair, the association’s president.

Click here to read more !

Maryland Has Paid Sick Leave. But Is it Enough for Workers Impacted by Coronavirus?

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 15:45:11 GMT

Emergency legislation introduced Monday night by the General Assembly’s presiding officers and Sen. Clarence K. Lam (D-Howard), the legislature’s lone public health doctor, to address the coronavirus calls for several measures to safeguard Marylanders’ health and to prevent price gouging by retailers.

One provision in the bill would ensure that people under quarantine or isolation don’t lose their jobs. But it doesn’t guarantee pay for the period when they are missing work.

Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, said members of her organization, which includes supermarkets and pharmacies, are among the businesses that could be hit most seriously by a widespread outbreak of the coronavirus — even as they’re asked to continue to provide essential services.

Click here to read more!

Maryland small businesses can’t afford plans to pay for Kirwan school reforms

Sun, 01 Mar 2020 16:48:35 GMT

We read a recent online opinion piece entitled “Business Leaders Want Kirwan Plan Fully Funded.”

That may be true of the well-connected individuals who signed the column, but we promise you it doesn’t hold for Maryland’s job creators, its small businesses, which make up 92 percent of companies in the state and employ more than a million people.

The reality is that such a substantial investment of $32 billion to pay for the state legislature’s education overhaul nicknamed the “Kirwan Commission” will almost certainly require massive tax increases that would inevitably hurt our state’s economy.

Click here to read more!

Media Mass Against Maryland Digital Ad Tax

Sun, 01 Mar 2020 16:47:10 GMT

The media industry is pushing back hard on a proposed Maryland digital ad tax they call the “most serious” threat to commercial advertising in the past several years. Click here to learn more!

Md. bill would ban most plastic carryout bags from all stores

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 16:49:47 GMT

Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, said her group supports the bill because a statewide ban is preferable to multiple county bans, which are burdensome to multijurisdictional retailers.

Locklair brought out a paper bag during last week’s bill hearing, telling delegates that retailers wouldn’t turn a profit off of the 10-cent “durable” bag fee.

“Our retailers want one law that they can comply with that is straightforward for consumers in the state,” she said.

Locklair told Capital News Service that the retailers association worked with the bill’s sponsors.

“One-size-fits-all (legislation) can’t work for everyone, but we want to be at the table when this gets negotiated,” she said.

Click here to learn more !

Maryland bill would ban plastic carryout bags from stores, charge customers for paper bags

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 16:51:01 GMT

Maryland Retailers Association president Cailey Locklair said it supports the bill because a statewide ban is preferable to multiple county bans, which are burdensome to “multijurisdictional” retailers. Click here to learn more !

Statewide Plastic Bag Ban Being Considered In Maryland

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 16:52:12 GMT

Plastic carryout bags would essentially be a thing of the past in Maryland if a bill in the General Assembly gathers enough lawmakers’ votes.

The bill would ban plastic carryout bags at the “point of sale” next year in July, require stores to charge customers a 10 cent fee per “durable” carryout bag — like paper bags — money that retailers would keep, and create a “Single-Use Products Workgroup,” according to a state legislative analysis. Click here to learn more !

Legislation introduced in MD could mean the end for plastic bags

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 16:54:07 GMT

Maryland lawmakers could pass legislation that would not only eliminate plastic bags, but charge you to use paper bags and incentivize the use of reusable ones. Click here to learn more !

Pier 1 stores in Rockville, Gaithersburg to close

Fri, 17 Jan 2020 16:55:45 GMT

Though no closing dates have been shared, the Pier 1 locations in Rockville and Gaithersburg are no longer available on the Pier 1 website Store Locator. Click here for more information .

Yvonne Fx closes at Montgomery Mall

Fri, 10 Jan 2020 16:56:55 GMT

Montgomery County has suffered a net loss of retail jobs since the turn of the century, according to the Maryland Retailers Association. Click here to learn more!

Buses, racetracks, and plastic bags? They’re all issues to follow in Maryland’s 2020 legislative session.

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 16:58:27 GMT

Transportation, housing and land use, and environmental issues are going to be big this Session, not to mention how the legislature plans to address the recommendations presented by the Kirwan Commission. Click here to learn more about the big issues coming up in the 2020 Session!

2019 Maryland Retailers Association in the News

Mon, 30 Dec 2019 18:13:41 GMT

A collection of articles published in 2019 related to retailers in Maryland and/or the Maryland Retailers Association.

November 24th, 2019

2018 Maryland Retailers Association in the News

Sun, 30 Dec 2018 18:21:28 GMT

A collection of articles published in 2018 related to retailers in Maryland and/or the Maryland Retailers Association.

December 17th, 2018

BBJ gets an expert panel to review retail – Expert Panel reviews retail (BBJ)

January 22nd, 2018

Sales Tax and the Supreme Court

January 15th, 2018

Changing Habits by The Business Monthly

2017 Maryland Retailers Association in the News

Sat, 30 Dec 2017 18:28:12 GMT

A collection of articles published in 2017 related to retailers in Maryland and/or the Maryland Retailers Association.

December 4th, 2017

2016 Maryland Retailers Association in the News

Fri, 30 Dec 2016 18:32:07 GMT

A collection of articles published in 2016 related to retailers in Maryland and/or the Maryland Retailers Association.

November 30th, 2016

2015 Maryland Retailers Association in the News

Wed, 30 Dec 2015 18:42:03 GMT

A collection of articles published in 2015 related to retailers in Maryland and/or the Maryland Retailers Association.

November 25th, 2015

maryland-retailers-association

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What key issues are poised to impact grocers in 2025?

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