Extras help small firms boost business
Small businesses like KnowSweat Workouts increasingly are adding products and services to keep revenue flowing during tight economic times.
Retail
Articles
State retailers oppose 2-year wait for Amazon tax
The Indiana Retail Council is opposing a deal struck between Gov. Mitch Daniels and Amazon to begin collecting sales tax in 2014.
Closed meeting angers wounded store clerk’s family
The family of a convenience store clerk critically injured in an October shooting harshly criticized an Indiana agency's decision to hold a closed-door meeting Wednesday with trade groups on efforts to boost safety at the 24-hour facilities.
HHGregg shares sink on disappointing earnings
Appliance and electronics retailer HHGregg Inc.’s stock price fell more than 15 percent Tuesday after it reported lower-than-expected earnings for the fiscal third quarter.
Brugge owners eye downtown buildings for brewery, eatery
Owners of Broad Ripple’s Brugge Brasserie want to bring a new restaurant concept to the Massachusetts Avenue district downtown, where they also plan to relocate the craft brewery that supplies beer to Brugge.
Edible Arrangements franchisee opens third location
Retha Parsley owns three franchises for Edible Arrangements, a fruit-bouquet-delivery business, including a new downtown location that also sells in-store dipped fruit, fruit smoothies and fruit parfaits.
Blakley Corp. hires first outsider CEO
Indianapolis-based Blakley Corp., a specialty contractor and home-flooring retailer, has hired the first outsider CEO in the company's 114-year history.
Pendleton Pike Kmart, Anderson Sears on closing list
Sears Holding Co. said Thursday it will close a Kmart store on Pendleton Pike in Indianapolis and a Sears department store in Anderson as part of a round of closures.
Sears closings shouldn’t be big problem for Simon
Simon Property Group has more shopping malls with Sears as a tenant than any other landlord, but any closings are likely have a negligible effect on the Indianapolis-based real estate company's overall earnings, an analyst says.
LEADING QUESTIONS: Expanded Kahn’s banks on holidays
How much bubbly does Kahn's Fine Wines & Spirits sell at year's end? How have operations changed with the addition of two new stores? Owner Jim Arnold has answers.
Bargain hunters divided holiday shopping season
The holiday shopping season turned out to be two seasons: the Black Friday binge and a last-minute surge before Christmas. Together, they added up to decent sales gains for most retailers.
Downtown restaurants planning for crowds
Pretty much every eatery in town will be packed from Jan. 27 to Feb. 5. However, with luck, a little savvy and some expert advice, it’s still possible to find a short-notice, sit-down meal.
Retailers to offer football fans unusual merchandise
It’s common for retailers in Super Bowl host cities to bring in a special cache of goods not usually sold in the market.
Fatal shooting creates human resources issue for Kroger
Kroger officials are reviewing the actions of a manager who fatally shot a would-be robber inside a grocery store while it was busy with customers.
Up to 120 Sears, Kmart stores set for closure
Between 100 and 120 Sears and Kmart stores will be closed, the retailer said Tuesday, after terrible holiday sales during what is the most crucial time of the year for retailers.
Police called to control rowdy shoe shoppers
Local police were called to two Indianapolis malls to control crowds waiting to purchase the newest generation of Air Jordan basketball shoe. Similar incidents have been reported nationwide.
Shoplifting Grinches: Tis’ the season to steal
During the four weeks leading up to Christmas, an estimated $1.84 billion in merchandise will be shoplifted this year, according to The Global Retail Theft Barometer. That’s up about 6 percent from $1.7 billion during the same period last year.
Finish Line got strong start to holiday season
For the three-week period ended Dec. 18, the Indianapolis-based athletic apparel retailer said sales in stores open at least a year increased 7 percent from the same time last year. For the entire quarter, company profit increased 35 percent, to $5.5 million.
INSIDE DISH: Patrick’s finds room at the Inn in ‘X-mas miracle’
Beth Dickerson and Patrick Mullen had one month to find a new home for their struggling restaurant and move. A lucky break at Brick Street Inn and dozens of patrons (straight out of "It's a Wonderful Life") helped make it happen.
White Castle burger chain tries offering alcohol
The 90-year-old company is testing beer and wine sales at a location in Lafayette that combines a traditional White Castle burger joint with a Blaze Modern BBQ, a new restaurant concept also being tried out.