Retail sales saw slight increase in August amid inflation
Overall spending has slowed and shifted increasingly toward necessities like food, while spending on electronics, furniture, new clothes and other non-necessities has faded.
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Starbucks to revamp stores to speed service, boost morale
The company also said it plans to open 2,000 net new stores in the U.S. by 2025, with an emphasis on meeting the growing demand for new types of service, including drive-thru, mobile ordering and delivery.
North High Brewing Co. opening taproom in Circle Centre Mall
The Ohio-based brewer plans to begin serving pizza and craft beer Thursday in part of the former Granite City Food & Brewery location in the downtown mall.
Visa, Mastercard, AmEx to start categorizing gun shop sales
The moves likely will provoke the ire of gun rights advocates and gun lobbyists, who have argued that categorizing gun sales would unfairly flag an industry when most sales do not lead to mass shootings.
ClusterTruck spins off its software platform into a standalone business
The spinoff, Empower Delivery, is targeting independent restaurant chains that have between five and 50 locations in a market but haven’t yet gotten into delivery in a big way.
Americans splurge on beauty, despite pullbacks elsewhere
One possible explanation for why beauty is thriving when consumers are more apprehensive about their spending is a long-held theory known as the “lipstick index,” which posits that lipstick sales rise during times of economic downturn.
Giant Eagle planning new Market District supermarket in Westfield
Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle swooped into the Indianapolis market in October 2015 by opening a Market District supermarket in Carmel. It also owns more than 50 GetGo Cafe + Market stores in central Indiana.
Bed Bath & Beyond to close 150 stores, cut workforce by 20%
Shares of Bed Bath & Beyond lost nearly a quarter of their value Wednesday after the struggling home goods retailer announced a restructuring that includes store closures, layoffs and a possible stock offering.
Wisconsin-based sub sandwich chain plans multiple Indy-area restaurants
Milwaukee-based Cousins Subs said Tuesday that it has signed leases to open two restaurants in Indianapolis as part of an expansion plan that could include as many as seven area locations over the next few years.
Walmart expands abortion coverage for employees
Walmart, the nation’s largest employer, is expanding its abortion coverage for employees after staying largely mum on the issue for months following the Supreme Court ruling that overturned a nationwide right to abortion.
Fishers firm launches platform to boost business for itself—and its marketing peers
Vibenomics launched the platform, called the In-Store Marketplace, earlier this month. It’s designed as a one-stop shop where retailers can purchase in-store audio and digital advertising from both Vibenomics and other companies.
Student, 20, makes $110M trading meme stock Bed Bath & Beyond
Jake Freeman, a math major, bought 4.96 million shares at $5.50 each in July through a Wyoming-based holding company he set up. On Tuesday—a day when the stock spiked above $27 a share—he sold everything.
Lowe’s becomes latest employer to give workers inflation bonuses
The home improvement retailer said it was offering hourly employees $55 million in bonuses to help offset the sting of inflation, which has remained near 40-year highs all summer.
Walmart easily tops sales expectations as shoppers seek discounts
With inflation hovering near levels not seen in 40 years, higher-income Americans turned to Walmart to cut costs on groceries while its lower-income customers swapped out deli meats for less expensive hot dogs and canned tuna.
Study plots potential impact of Fresh Market planned by Cook Medical plant
The Indy Fresh Market, located at 38th Street and Sheridan Avenue, is expected to bring food, jobs and millions of dollars in investment to the Arlington Woods neighborhood, which is classified as a food desert.
Iconic Ohio drive-in chain Swensons plans Indy-area debut
Forbes selected Swensons for “America’s Best Burger” in 1999, and Akron native LeBron James has spoken publicly about his affection for the restaurant on multiple occasions.
Q&A: St. Elmo bartender’s creation now found in stores
Candace Anastasio’s take on an old-fashioned became a signature drink at St. Elmo Steak House and now is the latest entry in its line of signature retail products.
East Coast wing chain planning multiple locations in Indianapolis area
Atomic Wings, a fast-casual chicken wing chain, plans to makes its Midwest debut in Indiana after signing a 10-unit development deal with an Indianapolis-based businessman who is well-acquainted with operating restaurant franchises.
FBI: Data from mall gunman’s laptop cannot be recovered
The gunman placed his laptop in the oven at his apartment with a can of butane before departing for the shooting, police have said. The oven was on and set to a high temperature.
Fast-growing trampoline-park chain springs into Indy area, seeking new sites
Altitude Trampoline Park is looking for spaces that are at least 25,000 square feet, with 18-foot ceilings or taller, and is open to taking anchor spots in shopping centers.