Blockbuster is planning to close as many as 960 stores by the end of next year. That would shrink the video rental chain by
more than 20 percent as it struggles against stiff competition from Netflix and Redbox.
Supporters and foes of repealing Indiana’s ban on Sunday take-out alcohol sales plan to make their case before a group of
lawmakers.
Retail sales jumped in August, spurred by widespread gains beyond the increases of auto and gasoline sales that economists
expected.
Two Anderson siblings are buying the city’s Mounds Mall from the Florida-based company that has owned it for the past six
years.
The Music Mill, a local concert venue, restaurant and bar that has been closed down twice this year by different operators,
has new life. Local entrepreneur Ravi Chopra, 44, who owns the 6 Lounge & Restaurant downtown, announced last
night that he has purchased the Music Mill and plans to reopen it Oct. 12.
The new market, which will also offer catering services, is in a strip center owned by locally based
Centre Properties and anchored by Beauty Brands and Panera.
Find out about a new Latin market and tapas bar, plans to renovate the Apple Store and post office closings.
Indianapolis-based electronics retailer HHGregg Inc. announced the promotions of three executives this morning, including
the appointment of a new chief financial officer.
Some Indiana liquor store owners worry that a push to allow Sunday alcohol sales in the state could hurt their businesses
if lawmakers were also to permit grocery stores to sell cold beer.
Furniture is one of the easiest big-ticket purchases for consumers to defer when money is tight. Couple
that with a housing bust that left demand for new couches on the curb, and tight credit markets that
continue to prevent retailers from financing customers without perfect credit, and you’ve got the
worst market for furniture since the Great Depression.
Retailers today posted sales declines for August as shoppers held back on back-to-school purchases and continued to focus
on necessities, but overall results came in ahead of analyst predictions.
The former home of Smokey Bones Barbeque and Grill at 201 S. Meridian St. is getting a new tenant after sitting vacant for
more than two years. The Bloomington institution Kilroy’s plans to open a new location in the 8,700-square-foot space.
Steak n Shake Co. CEO Sardar Biglari revealed in regulatory filings this week that he spent $1.1 million buying shares in
the locally based burger chain, an apparent vote of confidence in his own turnaround plans.
Evansville-based Shoe Carnival Inc. today reported flat profit and declining same-stores sales in its fiscal second quarter.
Restaurateur Paul Murzyn has signed a lease for the 8,700-square-foot, first-floor
space at 201 S. Meridian St., a historic building with luxury condos upstairs.
When Brett Favre signed with the Minnesota Vikings Aug. 18, cheers could be heard at MainGate Inc.’s 7900 Rockville
Road headquarters. Predictably, Favre jerseys went flying off the shelves—about 6,000 in the first 72 hours—and
MainGate gets to keep a portion of those sales. The Vikings are one of six teams the Indianapolis-based merchandising
specialist has signed deals with in 2-1/2 years, making MainGate one of the biggest retail players in the goliath of professional
sports leagues.
Appliance retailers are poised to take a page from the car dealership playbook in promoting a new government program offering
rebates on energy-efficient washers, refrigerators and air conditioners.
Kahn’s Fine Wine & Spirits plans to open a second location in a former O’Malia Food Market at the northeast
corner of 86th Street and Township Line Road.
Now comes the hard part for the auto industry – luring customers without big Cash for Clunkers discounts.
The recession has put the squeeze on many retailers, but fine jewelry is an exception, at least at Barrington
Jewels. Owners Goel and Mitra Ahdoot are seeing their business flourish.
