WHY SHOULD I JOIN?
BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE RETAILERS ASSOCIATION OF MASSACHUSETTS (RAM) CAN BE ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS YOU CAN MAKE FOR YOUR BUSINESS.
By joining you gain access to exclusive, money saving discounts on services and programs, legislative updates and advocacy as well as valuable educational opportunities. We aim to help you grow and protect your business, promote the retail industry and save your business money.
RAM uses the combined buying power of our members to offer a variety of services and programs that can increase your business' profits. Whatever your business needs, we can recommend a program for you. We've done the research and negotiated on behalf of our members with the providers, thereby getting the best deal possible to save your business money. By utilizing RAM's cost saving programs and services, members realize a quick return on their annual dues investment, more than making up for their RAM membership fee by what they save on their fixed costs.
At RAM, we are continuously working to offer you new service opportunities, as well as improve the programs that we currently offer. Below are some of our various cost-saving services and programs available to you with your RAM Membership:As the active voice of the retailing community, RAM represents members and their interests before all branches of state government in an effort to protect, preserve and promote the thriving retail sector of the Massachusetts economy. RAM's staff of three registered lobbyists remains keenly engaged in the debate and discussion on both the legislative and regulatory fronts with regard to all issues that impact the retail community. Members are constantly kept up-to-date on issues through a bi-monthly newsletter, regular bulletins and the web site. RAM breaks down the issues so you can clearly see the potential impact they could have on your business.
We have also taken great steps to streamline the process of political involvement because we understand that running a retail business is hard work that doesn't leave you with much free time in your schedule. By using the state of the art, online advocacy center, members can contact their legislators on issues of importance and make their voices heard- in less than ten minutes!
HOW MUCH IS MEMBERSHIP?
First and Second Year Membership Annual Dues: | First Year of Membership | $50.00 | | Second Year of Membership | $125.00 |
Third Year and Beyond Membership Annual Dues:
Membership is based on an investment schedule using your business' most recent annual gross sales to determine your dues rate. ANNUAL GROSS SALES | MEMBERSHIP DUES | Up to $500,000 | $175.00 | $500,000 to 1,000,000 | $225.00 | $1,000,000 to 1,500,000 | $275.00 | $1,500,000 to 2,500,000 | $500.00 | $2,500,000 to 5,000,000 | $1,000.00 | $5,000,000 to 7,500,000 | $1,500.00 | $7,500,000 to 10,000,000* | $2,000.00 | Over $10,000,000 | $2,000.00 + $1000 per additional $10M in sales | Associate Members** | $250.00 per year always |
* If annual gross sales exceed $10,000,000 please contact RAM at 617-523-1900.
** Please be aware that associate members do not have access to discounted services like Workers' Comp or Health Insurance; this membership category is NOT offered to retailers. RAM does not give out membership information or post it publically. All associate member applications are reviewed and accepted on an individual basis, based on qualifications. If you are interested in becoming an associate member, email Andi Shea, RAM's Membership Director at ashea@retailersma.org for more information. Membership in RAM is generally limited to businesses within the Retail Trade or Wholesale Trade SIC codes (5000-5999). Certain businesses with service sector SIC codes, that have a retail component to their business, may be eligible to participate in member services. Click this list for a list of outlier codes that RAM already accepts. New Member Application
Download PDF Version of Membership Application
About RAM Established in 1918, RAM is a statewide trade association of over 3,000 member companies. Membership ranges from sole proprietorships to large national retail chains. Staffed by four full-time employees and a part-time finance manager. The association is overseen by a board of directors representing a cross section of our membership. We also work closely with retail associations in other states, the National Retail Federation and local chambers of commerce to constantly promote the retail industry in Massachusetts. |