U.S. apparel spending rises at fastest pace since 2005
Low unemployment, elevated consumer confidence and stronger household finances are encouraging shoppers to dip confidently into their cash.
Retail
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Sears suppliers haunted by ghosts of Toys ‘R’ Us
Suppliers are still gun-shy after their experience with Toys ‘R’ Us, which went out of business months after filing for Chapter 11 reorganization in the fall of 2017, leaving them with millions of dollars in unpaid bills.
East 16th Street building to be rehabbed for restaurant
The new owner bought the property from Peter George, a former co-owner of the Tinker Street restaurant across the street.
Lids Sports Group’s future growing cloudier by the day
Parent company Genesco started trying to sell the Zionsville-based division 10 months ago, but no deal has been struck. Meanwhile Lids' long-running decline has continued.
Duo to open Hamilton County’s first CBD dispensary
Vape and Wellness is expected to open this month in a 1,400-square-foot store near Kroger on Logan Street in Noblesville.
Dunkin’ taking on Starbucks with improved espresso drinks
Dunkin' has a long way to go. Starbucks controlled 56 percent of U.S. coffee cafe sales in 2017, while Dunkin's share was 27 percent, according to a food industry research company.
Lids, other baseball cap sellers about to feel impact of tariffs
According to the American Headwear Alliance, which represents producers such Zionsville-based Lids and Massachusetts-based ’47 Brand, the vast majority of caps sold in the U.S. are imported from overseas.
Local fireworks retailer going out of business with huge auction
A company that operated more than 240 seasonal stores is scheduled to auction off about $4.5 million in fireworks as well as vehicles and equipment later this month.
Indiana convenience-store chain pumping up Indy presence
The award-winning Valparaiso-based operator is planning at least nine stores here. Also: Bonobos, Joella’s Hot Chicken, Cabin Coffee Co. and Macy’s.
Splenda maker settles trademark lawsuit against IHOP, Applebee’s franchisor
Carmel-based Heartland Food Products Group said it reached “an amicable resolution” of its differences with the franchisor of 3,700 restaurants.
Simon to weather, maybe even benefit from Sears’ decline, analysts say
Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group and other mall landlords actually might be looking forward to redeveloping Sears’ massive stores with more promising tenants as the once-mighty retailer enters bankruptcy.
Sears files for bankruptcy just as things are looking up for retail
With shoppers feeling more free to spend and nicer shopping malls on the upswing, bankruptcy is a clear sign of individual weakness, not an industry trend.
Last remaining local Sears, Kmart stores set for closure
Sears Holdings announced it was closing 142 more stores as part of Monday’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan.
Sears files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid plunging sales, massive debt
Given Sears’ sheer size, the bankruptcy filing will have wide ripple effects on everything from already ailing landlords to its tens of thousands of workers.
Downtown steakhouse closes after parent company’s bankruptcy
Downtown’s jam-packed steakhouse scene has become a little less crowded after the closure of an upscale player that debuted in Indianapolis in 2017.
Retailers up their game to fill void left by Toys ‘R’ Us closures
Retailers including Walmart, Target and Party City are trying to grab a piece of the nearly $3 billion left on the table by Toys “R” Us, or 12 percent of the U.S. toy market.
Restaurateur Gino Pizzi reopening Blu Point Oyster Bar
Short-lived 1980s experiment being resurrected in Meridian-Kessler. Also: Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Virginia Avenue Pizza Co., Bow Wow Meow Boutique, Linden Tree Gifts, Moody Eyes and Ross Dress for Less
CVS-Aetna deal given go-ahead by U.S. antitrust regulators
The Justice Department’s approval clears the way for a merger that will create a health care giant with a hand in insurance, prescription-drug benefits and drugstores across the United States.
Sears preparing for bankruptcy as soon as this weekend
Sears Holdings Corp., the struggling U.S. retailer owned by hedge fund manager Eddie Lampert, is focused on a deal that would preserve stakeholders’ value in a court restructuring, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.
River West Coffee & Tea revs up on near-west side
The business runs out of a mobile truck right now, but its owners plan to open a brick-and-mortar coffee shop within the next two years.