MRA’s Updates from Annapolis

Mask Mandates in Maryland: Where You Need to Wear One and What You Need to Know

The Baltimore Sun has shared helpful guidelines regarding the current mask mandates in Maryland and where and how they are being enforced. Click here to read the article.


Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week August 9-15 2020

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 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.


Planning for Autumn MRA Events

MRA is currently in the process of planning its Annual Meeting and the annual Food Industry Hall of Fame event. If you have any recommendations for nominees for the Louis Goldstein Public Service Award, which is given to a retailer or individual who made significant contributions to our industry, or for nominees for induction into the Food Industry Hall of Fame, please let us know.