Retail sales rise more than expected
The government’s report came as a surprise because the nation’s retailers have been reporting generally lackluster results
for the start of the holiday shopping season.
Retail
Articles
Stout’s Shoes still in step after 123 years
After more than a century in business, Indianapolis-based Stout’s Footwear Co. isn’t just
surviving. It also is proceeding with plans to open
a store next year on the city’s north side.
Espresso Book Machine could open new pages in local retailing
The pricey Espresso prints and binds books while customers wait. But retailers aren’t sure what to expect when the the machine
gains wider acceptance.
Bloomington panel won’t support chain-store ban
A task force appointed by Bloomington’s mayor will instead look at other options for protecting the small-town character of the city’s downtown from standardized chain stores and eateries.
UPDATE: Simon stock jumps on $2.3B acquisition
Adding the 22-mall portfolio of Baltimore-based Prime Outlets will give Simon a total of 63 outlet malls with more than 25
million square feet of space.
Bella Vita restaurant planned for Circle Centre
An Italian restaurant whose owner has ties to embattled local businessman Tim Durham is poised to take the first-floor
space in Circle Centre mall formerly occupied by Bertolini’s.
Patachou owner’s pizzeria granted alcohol permit
Café Patachou owner Martha Hoover’s plan to open a pizzeria next to her trademark eatery at 49th and Pennsylvania
streets in Indianapolis cleared its final hurdle Monday.
Marsh, then and now
Now that Marsh Supermarkets is being run like a real business, has the shopping experience changed?
Revived Marsh Supermarkets goes up for sale
Florida-based Sun Capital has completed the turnaround of Marsh Supermarkets and now is seeking a buyer
for the home-grown chain. CEO Frank Lazaran told IBJ Sun will sell Marsh “when the market is right, financing
is right, and
someone is willing to pay a fair multiple.”
General Growth’s refinancing plan could thwart Simon
General Growth Properties Inc., the nation’s second-largest shopping mall operator, said lenders have agreed
to restructure about $9.7 billion in debt. The agreements could put a damper on the acquisition aspirations of rival Simon
Property Group Inc.
Holiday shopping off to mildly encouraging start
After shoppers gave retailers a somewhat encouraging start to the holiday shopping season, stores now turn their attention
to the online promotions known as Cyber Monday and bringing back customers the rest of the season.
Airport plans holiday events to lure traffic to Civic Plaza
Entertainment planned for December could put airport visitors in a spending mood. Retail sales at the terminal have suffered
this year due in part to a 10 percent drop in passenger traffic, prompting the Airport Authority to search
for ways to boost revenue.
Alcohol distributor fights decision allowing big competitor into Indiana
National Wine & Spirits Inc. suffered a staggering reversal of fortune when the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission
ruled Nov. 5 that Southern Wine
& Spirits of America Inc. could distribute here.
Employers brace for Cyber Monday
More than 53 percent of workers with Internet access, or 68.8 million, are expected to shop online Monday, according to
the Washington, D.C.-based National Retail Federation.
Patachou owner’s pizzeria receives variance approval
Cafe Patachou owner Martha Hoover can now move forward with plans to open a pizzeria next to her trademark eatery at 49th
and Pennsylvania streets.
Biglari was persistent in pressing Western Sizzlin deal
Steak n Shake CEO Sardar Biglari proposed buying Western Sizzlin in January and again in May and advocated the unusual structure
of the $39 million transaction.
Boot, apparel sales boost Shoe Carnival profit
Shoe Carnival Inc.’s quarterly same-store sales, which measure revenue from locations open at least a year, climbed 10.2 percent.
Airport retailers want relief from street pricing policy
Airport concessionaires stung by a 10-percent drop in passenger traffic have asked the Indianapolis Airport Authority to ease
a policy that was implemented more than 10 years ago to keep prices in line with what consumers pay outside
the airport.
Pizza restaurants in works; wine shop heading to Fishers
Hot Box Pizza plans to open a downtown location in the Harness Factory Lofts building, and WineTyme, a new local shop selling
wines, craft beers and gourmet food, is coming to Fishers.
Indianapolis looks to Cleveland, Philadelphia for City Market examples
The troubled Indianapolis City Market is looking East for a new direction. This summer, its executive director, Jim Reilly,
visited Philadelphia and Cleveland to observe their successful urban markets and seek pointers that might be applied here.