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Articles in Category: Policy & Politics

Statement By Minnesota Retail Association President Bruce Nustad On Shakopee Gift Card Regulation Taking Effect Saturday, May 18, 2019

Shakopee retailers remove third-party gift cards from shelves amid graduation gift-giving over concerns the City ordinance conflicts with business partner agreements and raises the potential for a clerk to be cited with a misdemeanor crime

While the Shakopee Police Department has said it is not the intention of the City to issue citations this weekend, we take complying with the new law seriously. The reality is retailers were only given 11 days to implement changes and that simply isn’t enough time to train each and every employee, change point of sale systems, and re-write operating procedures to ensure the proper checks and balances exist. While retailers do check identification in some instances, there is no routine situation today where the name on a card is verified as the same on a valid government-issued identification.

Out of concern that front-line retail workers could be cited for breaking the law, a number of Shakopee retailers have removed third-party gift cards from their shelves. The last thing a retailer wants is any employee mistakenly selling a regulated card, which would be a violation of the law and be punishable as a misdemeanor.

In addition, as expressed to the Council at its May 7 meeting, the Shakopee ordinance may conflict with agreements between retailers and their business partners. Some retailers have removed cards from their shelves out of concern that the City’s action may lead to a breach of their agreements.

These cards are an important convenience to customers, especially as Minnesotans celebrate graduations and other special occasions this time of year. We hope retailers can get these cards back on their shelves soon, but the City has put some retailers in the position where that won’t happen until there is no risk to employees or liability with their business partners.

Retailers in Shakopee have taken steps to reduce fraud, including moving cards and increasing employee training. It’s unfortunate the City chose to pass this regulation as opposed to continuing to work in partnership with retailers. Our concerns remain that shoppers will take their business to a neighboring community and career criminals will use fraudulent credit cards to obtain other high-value items.

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For interviews, contact:

Bruce Nustad
President, Minnesota Retailers Association
(651) 288-1640
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Meet Savannah Sepic, MnRA's New Government Relations Manager

MnRA welcomes Savannah Sepic

Meet Savannah Sepic, MnRA's New Government Relations Manager

The Minnesota Retailers Association is excited to welcome our new government relations manager, Savannah Sepic.

Savannah was born in Rochester, Minnesota but has spent much of her life in Madison, Wisconsin. This past May, Savannah graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a double major in political science and advertising.

Savannah recently moved to St. Paul and is already enjoying exploring Minnesota and all it has to offer, including our vibrant retail community.

Savannah served as a legislative intern at the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce where she organized Chippewa Valley Rally, a grassroots member activity similar to MnRA's annual Retail Day at the Capitol. In addition, Savannah researched chamber policies and helped members engage with elected officials.

Following graduation and through the 2018 election, Savannah ran a field office for a political party in Hudson, Wisconsin.

Politics and membership organizations are second nature to Savannah as she grew up accompanying her father--a veteran of the chamber of commerce and association industry--to board meetings.

"I am excited to learn the ins and outs of the association, along with diving into the issues important to our members," said Savannah. "I look forward to meeting everyone and the start of the 2019 legislative session."

Mn Retailers IMPACT Endorses 2018 House Candidates

Mn Retailers IMPACT fund says candidates are good for Minnesota consumers, retailers, and communities

Mn Retailers IMPACT Endorses 2018 House Candidates

Today Mn Retailers IMPACT announced the endorsement of these 12 candidates running for the State House of Representatives:

  • Tony Albright (55B)
  • Sarah Anderson (44A)
  • Drew Christensen (56A)
  • Kurt Daudt (31A)
  • Greg Davids (28B)
  • Pat Garofalo (58B)
  • Jon Koznick (58A)
  • Paul Marquart (4B)
  • Jim Nash (47A)
  • Marion O’Neill (29B)
  • Roz Peterson (56B)
  • Chris Swedzinski (16A)
  • Nick Zerwas (30A)

“Each endorsed candidate is a champion for Minnesota consumers, retailers, and our communities. They understand what the retail industry offers Minnesota’s economy and appreciate the 788,000 jobs that retailers support across the State,” said Mn Retailers IMPACT treasurer Bruce Nustad.



Mn Retailers IMPACT is funded through personal contributions used to support candidates who appreciate retailer contributions to Minnesota communities.

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