In the Amazon era, independent retailers make it personal to keep customers coming back
To compete with the e-commerce giant, independent retailers rely on something people can’t find online: in-person customer service.
Retail
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Q&A with Heather Givans: Crimson Tate owner builds following by designing fabric, quilts
Givans’ signature fabric designs, inspired by topics such as books and hiking, have been distributed worldwide by New Jersey-based Windham Fabrics since 2015. Meanwhile, her 19 quilting and craft patterns are sold under the Crimson Tate brand.
Nearly 30% of US drugstores closed in one decade, study shows
Drugstores have been dealing with shrinking reimbursement for prescriptions, rising costs and changing customer shopping habits.
Brazilian steakhouse to open at Fashion Mall Commons retail center
Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse will take over a spot Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar occupied from 2005 to 2020.
Online holiday sales set record, driven by higher-income shoppers
U.S. shoppers spent an unprecedented $41.1 billion online over the five-day period from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday this year.
Aldi poised to open its first store in Whitestown
Aldi operates 84 stores in Indiana, including one other store in Boone County and four in neighboring Hamilton County.
Carmel company elevates profile through IndyCar and coffee shops
Ted Gelov, the owner of Carmel-based Heartland Food Products Group, is turning to IndyCar to build the brand of Java House, a cold brew coffee product that debuted in 2018.
Walmart rolling back DEI commitments amid conservative backlash
The retailer has replaced the term DEI with “belonging” and no longer plans to consider race and gender when choosing suppliers—the latter a practice it adopted after the 2020 murder of George Floyd.
Triton Brewing Co. to close after 13 years at Fort Ben
Triton Brewing Co., known for its Rail Splitter IPA, was an early participant in the rise of Indianapolis craft beer makers.
Macy’s says employee hid up to $154M in expenses, delays Q3 earnings
The retailer said Monday that it identified an issue related to delivery expenses in one of its accrual accounts earlier this month.
Public Greens restaurant along Monon Trail to close
All profits from Public Greens restaurants have been donated to the Patachou Foundation to provide meals for food-insecure children.
Second Gallery Pastry restaurant closes in four-month span
The lineup of Gallery Pastry locations is now reduced to a single restaurant, Gallery Pastry Shop at 4573 N. College Ave.
Indy CD & Vinyl to take over former Landsharks location
An expansion of Broad Ripple record store will focus on a new performance stage and a place where area residents can gather.
Jersey Mike’s sandwich chain acquired by private equity firm for $8B
Jersey Mike’s has nearly 30 locations throughout Indiana, including stores in Indianapolis, Noblesville, Carmel, Greenfield, Zionsville, Anderson, Avon, South Bend, West Lafayette, Fort Wayne and Bloomington.
Items from Iron Skillet restaurant to be auctioned this week
The Iron Skillet closed in May, ending a 71-year run of serving skillet-fried chicken in a house overlooking Coffin Golf Course.
IBJ Podcast: Inside jeweler’s decision to close one of downtown’s oldest businesses
Windsor Jewelry has operated within a stone’s throw of Monument Circle since 1919. Owner Greg Bires details his decision to close after the store survived the pandemic and the 2020 downtown riots.
October’s retail sales report shows solid growth
One cautionary note is that grocery-store sales barely rose last month, a sign that many Americans might still be struggling to adapt to food prices that are still much higher than they were three years ago.
Advance Auto Parts closing hundreds of stores in effort to turn business around
The auto parts retailer, which has two dozen area stores, reported a loss of $6 million in its third quarter and lowered its full-year revenue outlook for the second consecutive quarter.
Developer preparing for second phase of Farm development in Zionsville
Pittman Partners plans to build up to 225,000 square feet of commercial space at The Farm at the corner of Michigan Road and Sycamore Street.
Windsor Jewelry to close, ending 105-year run in Indianapolis
Originally an Illinois Street storefront that opened in 1919, Windsor Jewelry moved to Meridian Street just south of Monument Circle in 1970.