The Retailers Edge | Minnesota Retailers Assocation

Buying Group

The Minnesota Retailers Association (MnRA) has brought together the collective clout of our members to offer increased savings on the products and services that retailers need for doing business. These affordable products and services help Minnesota retailers navigate the often complicated terrain of operating as a retailer.

Our RetailPlus+™ buying group program offers discount opportunities on products and services including:

Certified Public Accounts

 

A leading Midwest independent accounting and financial consulting firm dedicated to helping clients create measure, manage and grow wealth. With 130 employees including 27 partners, we help our clients get there with strategic accounting, tax and business consulting advice is one of MnRA's premier partners.

They are members of IGAF Polaris, an international group of accounting firms with 2,400 partners, 16,300 employees, and 843 offices in 89 countries around the globe, making the group one of the largest associations of independent firms in the world. Membership provides access to routine staff support for client matters in virtually any part of the globe helping our clients get there with international financing, tax compliance and other complex international business consulting needs.

Commercial Real Estate & Business Law

 

Every business should consult an attorney when entering into a real estate transaction. Attorneys are too often utilized after problems occur, resulting in costly short term and long term problems that could have been prevented. These problems are unforeseen by business owners and should be raised and discussed as possibilities by a knowledgeable attorney.

While it makes sense to utilize the services of an attorney before entering into a legal agreement the excitement of undertaking a business endeavor and the perception that attorneys are too expensive can cause people to skip this vital service. The MnRA Retail Plus+ Partner for Commercial Real Estate and Business Law can provide you with sophisticated and timely legal services at low hourly rates or flat fees. If you join MnRA you are entitled to a FREE initial consultation!

Computer Services

 

How would you like to have an IT department at your fingertips without having the cost of an entire IT department? Join MnRA and you will have the opportunity to get just that! MnRA has partnered with a premier Computer Service Company to offer everything from Remote Backups and Network Assurance to Direct Response Solutions. This computer service company also provides protection from spyware, rootkits, and other types of malicious software. With your membership to MnRA you will receive 5% off of hardware purchases and 10% off of the monthly pricing for any services that they offer.

Courier Services

 

Are you in the business where every second counts? Do you deliver within cities, between cities or between countries? Do you need to deliver things 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year? If you do, join MnRA and you can! We have partnered with an Industry Specialties Courier Service to provide our members with a 35% discount off of delivery services.

Credit Card Processing

 

The Minnesota Retailers Association has developed a partnership with one of the nation's largest payments processors, for credit card processing and payroll solutions. This alliance will provide members with effective tools, solutions and resources that will help reduce their expenses improve operations and increase profitability - all from one source with integrated technology product platforms. This suite of solutions is supported by a local sales and servicing force and technical assistance 24/7/365.

 

Aligning ourselves with this credit card processor provides our members unique operational and financial advantages in a challenging landscape. Their revolutionary tools and unparalleled support can positively change the way you manage your business. Its end-to-end encryption solution - E3™ - is designed to protect cardholder data throughout the entire lifecycle of a payments transaction from the moment of card swipe to the card brands - helping business owners improve data security and reduce the cost of PCI compliance.

 

Discount Shipping

One of the largest Discount Shipping Programs has been partners with MnRA since 1989. Members who enroll in the free program receive significant discounts through FedEx®, Yellow Transportation as well as UPS Freight.

This shipping program won't let you down; they will get it there on time!

 

Financial Services

 

MnRA partners with both a Credit Union and one of the largest privately owned Financial Service Firms in the mid-west.

Through the MnRA program with the Financial Service Firm members receive a free employee benefit plan audit, the audit is structured to evaluate how well your current benefit plan is performing and compare it to other plans to determine the most cost effective plan for your company. With membership to MnRA you will receive a 10% discount on personal planning fees.

The MnRA Credit Union Partner offers a no cost solution to enhance your benefit package with no extra cost to your company. Impress your employees by offering financial services through this Credit Union.

Join MnRA and take advantage of these wonderful Financial Services!

 

Fraud Detection

 

The MnRA RetailPlus+ Partner for fraud detection provides a high-quality, world class, ultraviolet counterfeit detection equipment. Hidden security features in dollar bills were made to protect U.S. banks and businesses, but they can only be seen with the aid of Ultra Violet scanners. Sears, Footlocker, Toys-R-US, Carl's Jr. Restaurants, the Secret Service at the White House, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan-Chase, Washington Mutual, Regions Bank, Bank of the West, and a host of other banking corporations and retailers use these devices. Join MnRA and get access to our Retail Plus+ Partner for a 20% discount.

 

Loss Prevention

 

How would like to decrease you risk of retail loss incidents from both internal and external sources? MnRA, we know that as a business owner, the amount loss does not come with a cheap price tag. MnRA has partnered with a premier Retail Loss Company to ensure the peace of mind that you need at a 10% discount. The company visits your store to do a comprehensive actions plan to reduce loss incidents and inventory shortages. Select a custom loss prevention program or elements of a program that best fit your needs. To learn more about how MnRA can help support the financial goals of your retail business, join MnRA and connect with our Retail Loss Provider.

 

Maintenance

 

Building maintenance is something that must be done all year round requiring time or additional staff. MnRA has partnered with a locally owned and operated team to give you discounts on your maintenance needs. Members of MnRA receive a 10% discount off of janitorial services for things like window washing after the winter and exterior cleaning, and a 15% off discount on things like day labor and handyman services. These are the necessary evils of owning an independent retail store and your membership to MnRA makes it a little easier to bear.

 

Office Supplies

 

Office supplies - something we all need. From sticky notes to copy paper to office furniture this Retail Plus+ Partner has it all. They offer MnRA member only discount pricing and internet ordering options. The Business Solutions Division is dedicated to meeting your needs by providing specialized experts, services and solutions. They offer over 75 discounted office supply items that are on our "Best Value List", and they add new products to it daily. They also offer discounted prices on everyday office supplies like paper and toner and an additional 5% off if you order these items online. They also offer a 2% discount on all orders over $125.00 as well as free next day delivery for orders over $50. To participate in this program all you need to do is become a member of the MN Retailers Association and sign up!

 

Payroll Processing

 

Payroll processing is something every business owner has to deal with. MnRA has teamed up with a locally owned and operated Minnesota Payroll Processing Company. Not only does this company do a superb job and handing the ins and outs of Payroll, from tracking employee hours to filing the correct taxes to tracking PTO, they also offer a number of other benefits. As a member of MnRA you will receive discounts on Payroll Processing, TimeKeeping Solutions, and discounts on HR support with access to free employee forms. You also receive FREE workers Compensation Integration. They also offer a program called CheckConnect Online which is a web based solution system,available 24/7 that allows clients to manage payroll from any PC connected to the internet.The client can add/subtract employees, deductions, direct deposits and much more. An Employee Self Service is an option available which allows employees to view pay stubs and W2's online (among many other things). This is just one of the perks of joining MnRA.

 

Printing/Copying

 

MnRA is a proud customer of our printing partner. This printer can print anything from business card to letterhead and envelopes. Their motto is "if you need it printed, we will find a way to print it for you." They also offer a "meet or beat" your best price from any other printer. All you have to do is show them your old invoice and let them do the rest! They will also give you a FREE quote on your printing needs and give you various options to pick from. This company does all of MnRA's printing and we are very pleased. Join MnRA and give them a try!

 

Store Fixtures & Supplies

 

This family owned business has been working with distributors, buying groups and everyday retailers for over 20 years. With thousands of different products at wholesale pricing and a 30 day "No Hassle" return policy, 100% satisfaction for MnRA members is a guarantee. They stock everything from display racks, counters, shelving signage, and much more. MnRA members not only receive the already marked down prices, but also a 7% discount off every order place and our members also receive a free store layout assistant. Join MnRA and give them a call, tell them you are one of our members to receive the discounts.

 

Security and Liability Law

 

Retail businesses are unique and when the MnRA Retail Plus+ Partner for Security and Liability Law were founded, they believed it was important to provide these businesses with advocates who were willing to defend them zealously. Representing retail businesses requires an understanding of the different challenges retailer face. This firm has that understanding. Once you join MnRA you will have access to this premier Law Firm and it's multitude of knowledgeable attorneys.

 

Telecom Services

MnRA has teamed up with a locally owned and operated Telecom Company. This risk-free offer includesauditingmembers phone bills for inaccuracies, but letting the members keep 75% of the money recovered. This ismoney that the memberwould never have discovered without the Telecom Companies help.

If they find nothing wrong with your phone bill, they walk away with you owing nothing. This is an extremely valuable offer since they areable to recover money about 80% of the time that they analyze phone bills.

In addition to auditing, they also represent most telecom carriers available.As part of their analysis, they check to see if your company is on the best plan available.

 

Web Design & Development

Do you think our website is well designed? Would you like to see your website attract potential customers but don't know how to do it? MnRA's website was built by our own Web Design Partner. For the past nine years they have been providing professional web design and development services to meet the ever-growing internet nation. Whether you're a small business taking your first steps on the internet or a large corporation in need of advance web application development, the web designers and developers are ready to serve. Just look at our site and then you be the judge. With membership to MnRA you will receive a free consultation.