Pandemic testing shopper loyalty for clothing brands
According to a survey by McKinsey & Co, 46% of shoppers polled in the United States tried new brands or made new purchases with a new retailer.
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Articles
What does Walmart see in TikTok? Millions of young shoppers
Walmart could make TikTok into an extension of its sales machine, helping advertisers, creators and others sell products.
Used-car dealer Byrider hasn’t suffered much in pandemic
The company says sales are up after an earlier drop-off, and it hasn’t yet seen a spike in delinquencies or defaults among credit-challenged borrowers, who represent its core customers.
Soul-food landmark Kountry Kitchen set to begin rebuilding after fire
Its owners are planning to begin construction on a new, bigger building this fall, following the January fire that gutted its original home. Also this week: The W Nail Bar, Crazy Tortas.
Crew Carwash taking over former CVS site
Crew got approval for the project even though it doesn’t conform to the city’s land-use plan. Also this week: Mass Ave Merchants Association, Prodigy Burger & Bar, Indy’s Burger Joint, Stage to Screen Catered Cabaret.
Simon partnership adding Lucky Brand to growing stable of retailers
News of the $140 million deal comes in the same week that Simon Property Group and Authentic Brands Group agreed to acquire legendary clothier Brooks Brothers.
U.S. retail sales regain pre-virus level, but slowdown expected
Sales at retail stores and restaurants have now risen for three straight months, after plunges in March and April. Still, much of the spending was fueled by government aid that has since expired.
Wendy’s, McDonald’s ready to revive chicken sandwich wars
One year ago today, Popeye’s fired the first salvo in the Great Chicken Sandwich Wars. And there’s no indication that America’s collective obsession with a crunchy bit of bird on a bun is going anywhere.
Noble Roman’s takes newest concept to Greenwood
The Indianapolis-based chain says it’s scouting sites for yet another Craft Pizza & Pub that it hopes to open by year’s end.
Simon Property misses Wall Street expectations as profit sinks
The Indianapolis-based shopping mall operator said all of its U.S. properties have reopened, with the exception of a handful in California that were forced to close for a second time on July 15 because of government mandates.
Fine-dining Japanese restaurant opens downtown
Hinata, which opened July 31, promises to offer diners authentic Japanese cuisine. Also this week, Tina’s Traditional Tearoom, Colts Pro Shop, The Warehouse Sale.
IBJ Podcast: The owner of Windsor Jewelry talks about surviving the riots and pandemic
Plus, hear from Mayor Joe Hogsett, who spoke to IBJ’s editorial board last month about some of the very problems Bires is concerned about for downtown.
Rep. Greg Pence criticized for race-related items sold at his mall
The Exit 76 Antique Mall in Edinburgh has more than 4 million items for sale by the merchants who rent booths, but sprinkled throughout the mall’s 72,000 square feet are also dozens of objects that trade in Jim Crow-era caricatures and stereotypes.
Westgate car dealership to be sold to Hoosier dealer group
The Plainfield business is bucking the trend of local dealerships getting scooped up by large national conglomerates.
Simon Property-backed venture makes offer to buy Brooks Brothers
Under the terms of the agreement, the Simon-back venture intends to purchase substantially all of the iconic retailer’s global business operations as a going concern. It has committed to acquiring at least 125 Brooks Brothers retail locations.
Women’s apparel giant that includes Ann Taylor files for bankruptcy
The company says it intends to close all of its Catherines stores, a “significant number” of Justice stores and a select number of Ann Taylor, Loft, Lane Bryant and Lou & Grey stores.
Three new businesses transform Irvington building
The former Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance office now houses a coworking space, events center and bar. Also this week: Green District Salads, Old Pro’s Table, BounceU and Della Leva Espresso Bar.
Barnes & Noble uses COVID-19 shutdown to refresh stores
It’s part of a chain-wide move to give store managers more autonomy. Also this week: Apocalypse Burger, Enterprise Car Sales, and America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses.
Simon Property Group diving into retail ownership
Simon is veering into retailer ownership in a substantial way, emboldened by its successful partnership with two other firms to buy the teen-oriented mall chain Aeropostale out of bankruptcy court in 2016.
Speakeasy-style whiskey bar coming to Mass Ave
The historic Hammond Block building will be the second location for the bar that started in South Bend. Also this week: Fresh Thyme, The Empty Vase, Forever Gallery, Lily & Sparrow, Kits & Kaboodle and more.