Whitewash, not White Paper
LANSING, Mich.-- Leaders of two Michigan retailer groups called a white paper issued by Attorney General Jennifer Granholm a "slap in the face to the retail industry." They said the document contained fundamental errors about legislation aimed at increasing stores' pricing accuracy through reform of the state's item-pricing law, leaders of two Michigan retail groups said today.
"The research and conclusions of this study are misleading and harmful. This isn't a white paper, it's a whitewash that unfairly singles out and bashes one of Michigan's most economically valuable industries," said Larry Meyer, who heads the Michigan Retailers Association.
"Essentially, the attorney general paints retailers as cheaters preying on consumers. That's both wrong and irresponsible. It's an insult to the tens of thousands of honest, hard-working retailers in this state," said Linda Gobler, president of the Michigan Grocers Association.
Meyer said retailers strongly support passage of House Bill 5544, which, contrary to Granholm's description, does not involve a form of technology called an Electronic Shelf Labeling System or ESL. Instead, the bill would enable retailers to get out from under the inefficient, costly and time- wasting burdens of individual price marking.
The Michigan Grocers Association is a nonprofit industry trade association of more than 1,000 supermarket, grocery and convenience stores throughout Michigan. MGA also serves more than 100 associate member manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, food brokers and providers.
"The research and conclusions of this study are misleading and harmful. This isn't a white paper, it's a whitewash that unfairly singles out and bashes one of Michigan's most economically valuable industries," said Larry Meyer, who heads the Michigan Retailers Association.
"Essentially, the attorney general paints retailers as cheaters preying on consumers. That's both wrong and irresponsible. It's an insult to the tens of thousands of honest, hard-working retailers in this state," said Linda Gobler, president of the Michigan Grocers Association.
Meyer said retailers strongly support passage of House Bill 5544, which, contrary to Granholm's description, does not involve a form of technology called an Electronic Shelf Labeling System or ESL. Instead, the bill would enable retailers to get out from under the inefficient, costly and time- wasting burdens of individual price marking.
The Michigan Grocers Association is a nonprofit industry trade association of more than 1,000 supermarket, grocery and convenience stores throughout Michigan. MGA also serves more than 100 associate member manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, food brokers and providers.