Premier Relocations - Chamber Member - Presented with Coveted Award

On November 6, at the annual national convention in Boca Raton, Florida, Premier Relocations was presented with two highly coveted awards. Both our Novi and Grand Rapids locations received Honorable Mentions for the prestigious Customer Choice Award from Mayflower Transit. This award is based exclusively on customer satisfaction, which is why we are so proud of this distinction.  Thank you to our customers for their continued support!

Jen Davis

Marketing Specialist

Premier Relocations LLC 

Mayflower Transit Agent 2828

45200 Grand River Ave.

Novi, MI 48375

Americans Cautious about Holiday Spending This Year, Edward Jones Study Finds Consumer Plans Inconsistent with Analyst Expectations for 2013 Holiday Season

Edward Jones News Release

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Robin Whitfield
November 13, 2013	248-426-0279

Americans Cautious about Holiday Spending This Year, 
Edward Jones Study Finds Consumer Plans Inconsistent 
with Analyst Expectations for 2013 Holiday Season

According to a recent survey by financial services firm Edward Jones, some Americans are planning to hold on to their wallets this holiday season. In fact, 37% say they plan to spend less on holiday shopping in 2013 than they spent in 2012, contrary to what Edward Jones' retail analyst is anticipating: holiday sales to increase by about 2.8%.

"While we expect some sales growth in the retail market this holiday season, those polled expressed a conservative view on holiday spending," said Brian Yarbrough, consumer discretionary analyst for Edward Jones. "This differs from our retail forecasts for the remainder of the year. We anticipate solid numbers from most retailers with luxury players leading the charge."

The survey, conducted during the government shutdown, provides a unique perspective into how the political landscape and other short-term events may impact consumer spending behaviors. More than one-third (37%) plan to spend less on holiday shopping in 2013 than they spent in 2012, and another 39% say their shopping budget will be the same. Just 18% plan to spend more this year.

"Americans have been inundated by negative headlines regarding changes in economic policy, the impact of rising interest rates and disparate political views coming out of Washington," said Ms. Robin Whitfield, an Edward Jones financial advisor in Livonia.. "It's clear that these issues have heightened uncertainty and caused individuals to second-guess their saving and spending behaviors. However, it's important to stay the course and take a long-term approach to spending, saving and investing, especially with all of the short-term uncertainty."

Additional highlights from the survey include:

Shopping Early to Take Advantage of Promotional Deals
Of Americans planning to buy holiday gifts this year (79%), 24% have already started to tackle their lists. Less than half (43%) plan to conduct their shopping before Thanksgiving, about one-quarter (26%) plan to take advantage of Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales, and one-third (32%) say they will wait until December to get started. In a bearish admission, 16% of those who have traditionally purchased gifts for the holidays say they will not be doing so this year.

Younger Shoppers Most Likely to Spend
Respondents between the ages of 18 and 34 are the most likely to spend more in 2013 than in 2012 (35%), while only 12% of respondents ages 35 and 44 plan to spend more. Nearly half of respondents 55 and older plan to spend the same as 2012.

Youngest Americans Likely to Spend on Marquee Shopping Days
The survey's youngest respondents, those between the ages of 18 and 34, are far more likely to shop on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, with one-quarter indicating they plan to do so, compared with just 13% of Americans ages 55 and older. While 89% of respondents ages 18 to 34 plan to conduct holiday shopping this year, only 64% of respondents 55 and older plan to do the same.

Larger Households More Likely to Conduct Holiday Shopping
When taking household size into consideration, 91% of Americans with three or more individuals in their household plan to shop for the holidays this year, compared with 59% of single-person households. The trend continues between the two groups regarding their plans to conduct holiday shopping on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. In households with three or more members, 26% say they plan to shop during those particular days, as opposed to just 11% of single-person households.

Additionally, almost one-third (29%) of single-person households and just 6% of households with three or more people do not plan to buy holiday gifts this year but have in the past.

Contact Ms. Whitfield for a copy of the firm's consumer discretionary sector report.

Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada. Every aspect of the firm's business, from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities in which they live and work. The firm's 12,000-plus financial advisors work directly with nearly 7 million clients to understand their personal goals -- from college savings to retirement -- and create long-term investment solutions that emphasize a well-balanced portfolio and a buy-and-hold strategy. Edward Jones embraces the importance of building long-term, face-to-face relationships with clients, helping them to understand and make sense of the investment options available today.

Headquartered in St. Louis, Edward Jones ranked No. 8 overall in FORTUNE magazine's 2013 100 Best Companies to Work For ranking. Visit our website at www.edwardjones.com and our recruiting website at www.careers.edwardjones.com. Follow us on Twitter @EdwardJones. Member SIPC. FORTUNE and Time Inc. are not affiliated with and do not endorse Edward Jones products or services.


The survey was conducted by ORC International's CARAVAN Omnibus Services and was based on 1,005 landline and cell phone interviews of U.S. adults conducted Oct. 10-13, 2013. The margin of error was +/-3%. Of the total sample, 787 respondents indicated they were planning to shop for holiday gifts this year. The margin of error for this subgroup was +/- 3.5%.

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Health Reform Coffee Shops - Every Wednesday in September

Health Reform Coffee Shops

Where: Livonia Chamber Office, 33233 Five Mile Road

When: 8 a.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013

Who: Member business owners, managers, HR personnel

Regardless of the political headlines, there are reporting deadlines fast approaching for employers and individuals as health care reform takes effect. October 1 is a key date for employers and their workers as decisions need to be made whether to continue employer-provided health insurance programs, and how individuals register for a health insurance exchange.

We recognize there is a lot of confusion, and frankly, there are some questions that cannot be answered yet, but the paperwork requirements begin soon. Also, your employees will have questions. They likely will reach out to you, your managers, and/or your human resources departments for answers to how health care reform will impact them.

To help business owners and managers deal with these challenges leading up to that key October 1 date , the Livonia Chamber office will be open for at least one hour at 8 a.m. each Wednesday in September for business owners and human resources professionals to share resources and a cup of coffee. Our Health Reform Coffee Shops – free for our members – are informal gatherings to exchange helpful information with fellow business people preparing for this health care transition.

In the meantime, the Livonia Chamber has another resource to help you sort through health reform, Michigan Health Answers, a question-and-answer website: www.mychamberadvantage.com/miha

U-M, MSU athletic directors to speak together at four-Chamber luncheon

 

CONTACT:  Dan West, President, Livonia Chamber of Commerce, 734.427.2122

U-M, MSU athletic directors
to speak together at
four-Chamber luncheon

(April 12, 2013) –Tickets remain available for a luncheon in Livonia featuring a joint appearance by the athletic directors for the University of Michigan and Michigan State University to discuss the world of college athletics in Michigan, the Big Ten Conference, and NCAA.

U of M’s Dave Brandon and MSU’s Mark Hollis, both regarded as innovative leaders in collegiate athletics, will speak at a multiple-chamber luncheon Friday, April 26, at Laurel Manor, located on Schoolcraft west of Newburgh. The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event is coordinated by the Livonia, Westland, Northville and Plymouth chambers of commerce, and presented by Bill Brown Ford, St. Mary Mercy Hospital, Trinity Health, and Edward Jones Investments:  Robin Whitfield, Financial Advisor.

Both gentlemen lead programs engaged in one of the nation’s most-fierce sports rivalries, but they work together on initiatives to help the Big Ten and NCAA adapt to the ever-changing world of collegiate athletics. They are scheduled to discuss their projects, trends in collegiate athletics, unique challenges of their business, and answer audience questions.

This is the four western Wayne County chambers have teamed to coordinate a major luncheon. They combine to represent more than 2,200 members.
 
Seats to the luncheon are $30 for chamber members, $40 for non-members. Those interested in attending this program can contact their community’s respective chamber for details on the event and to reserve seats. Contact the Livonia Chamber at 734.427.2122, the Westland Chamber at 734.326.7222, the Plymouth Chamber at 734.459.1540, or the Northville Chamber at 734.349.7640.

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Encouraging news to drive Mayor’s State of the City Address

(March 5, 2013; LIVONIA) – Mayor Jack Kirksey plans to highlight the growing number of positive economic indicators across Livonia in his annual State of the City address at a Livonia Chamber of Commerce luncheon Thursday, March 14, at Burton Manor.

In recent State of the City programs, Kirksey discussed how the city encountered significant financial challenges while maintaining top-quality services for Livonia’s residents and businesses. In preparing for this 14^th annual address, the Mayor said he is starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel, particularly with recent Livonia real estate and unemployment reports.

"We will review the challenges and highlights of the past year and examine solid indicators that show an upswing in the economy,” Mayor Kirksey said.  

The Mayor will also focus on the City’s efforts to ensure Livonia remains a thriving, vibrant place to live, work, learn and play in 2013 and well beyond.

Livonia is Michigan’s ninth-largest city with almost 97,000 residents and some 4,200 businesses.

 

The State of the City Luncheon has evolved into one of the largest annual events conducted by the Livonia Chamber of Commerce. Last year, almost 600 people attended this luncheon that features a diverse audience of students, community volunteers, business leaders, school officials, and other political figures.

 

This year’s luncheon, sponsored by Cambridge Underwriters, Bright House Business Solutions, Alpha USA, and St. Mary Mercy Hospital, will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Burton Manor in Livonia. Seats to the event cost $25 per person, and can be reserved by calling the Livonia Chamber of Commerce at 734-427-2122.

Awrey's Tradition Continues - Press Release

Awrey’s tradition continues

 

(LIVONIA; Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013) -- Minnie Marie Bakers, Inc., is pleased to announce the purchase of certain assets of Awrey Bakeries, LLC, (Livonia, Michigan) from the company’s secured lender. Minnie Marie will continue to produce the iconic products of the 103-year-old family-based business.

John Awrey, family member of the original founders and Director of Sales and Marketing,  made the announcement today, stating, “I am pleased that the new owner will   preserve the Awrey’s Brand and tradition of fine products. It is also gratifying that the new owner  will be able to hire back many of our hard working associates in the coming days and weeks.”

“The  investors in the new owner of Awrey’s assets  are Michigan residents with backgrounds in operating family-run businesses and bakeries,” Awrey said. “They know Michigan is a good place to do business and will expand our focus to develop a local supply chain of farmers, millers and producers of Michigan grown wheat, soybeans, sugar and other ingredients.”

Awrey’s  has always been known for its award winning products, producing high quality, thaw and serve, finished baked goods including Danish, cakes, brownies, biscuits and muffins. Their primary customers include food service distributors, national chains and contract sales.

“The new owner looks forward to launching a number of new products in the year ahead,” Awrey said, “including a line of gluten-free products produced with Michigan ingredients. The new owner  also intends on returning the Awrey’s brand to the shelves of grocery stores for our loyal, longtime customer base.”

PNC Bank, the City of Livonia,  and others have worked diligently to assure that the Awrey’s name continues to produce products in Michigan.

Livonia Mayor Jack E. Kirksey said the city is “absolutely delighted” that Awrey’s products will still be baked here at the Farmington Road location.

“We worked very closely with  Awrey’s officials and the new owner  to do everything possible to make that company viable,” Mayor Kirksey said. “We are pleased to welcome Minnie Marie Bakers to Livonia and look forward to the company continuing to provide quality Awrey’s products, with the all-important restoration of jobs here.”

The business will continue to be headquartered   in a 218,000-square-foot facility in Livonia, Michigan. For further information contact James McColgan at the company phone 734.522.1100.