Panera Bread acquiring Au Bon Pain as founder steps down
Panera Bread founder Ron Shaich is stepping down as CEO and the company is buying Au Bon Pain—bringing together two chains the executive helped build.
Retail
Articles
Steak n Shake suffers first quarterly loss since last decade
Third-quarter revenue and customer traffic also declined for the Indianapolis-based restaurant chain.
Indiana, 34 other states back bid to collect online sales taxes
South Dakota is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review whether retailers can be required to collect sales taxes in states where they lack a physical presence. The case could have national implications for e-commerce.
Long lines are back at Apple retail sites for iPhone X
This year, Apple has marketed the iPhone X heavily, and new features like facial recognition and the edge-to-edge screen are stoking demand.
Craft brew industry continues to grow but loses froth
The explosive growth in craft breweries is starting to slow in Indiana, and a smattering of players have gone out of business. Yet industry observers remain bullish on the market.
Indy airport embarks on retail refresh
As vendor contracts expire at Indianapolis International Airport—and a slew of them lapse at the end of 2018, a decade after the terminal’s opening—officials are embarking on a project to freshen up the offerings.
Downtown’s Cadillac Ranch restaurant and bar closes
Owner Granite City announced the closure Wednesday, along with three Granite City restaurants in two Midwestern states. Adjoining lounge Bartini’s also closed.
U.S. Postal Service offers next-day Sunday delivery
The holiday program allows consumers in select cities to place online orders with participating retailers on a Saturday and then receive their packages the next day.
Efforts to remake Brownsburg’s downtown in progress
Four projects totaling about $85 million, including three already under construction, will bring apartments, offices and retail space to a key stretch of Green Street.
Crackers comedy club in Broad Ripple closes doors
The club, which opened in 1982, no longer is hosting comedy acts, although the downtown location remains open.
Carmel closet designer to use VR to help customers envision spaces
The VR system will allow customers to use an Oculus Rift headset to virtually explore a closet or other space designed specifically for them.
Walgreens to close 600 stores as part of Rite Aid deal
Walgreens has more than 50 stores in the Indianapolis area. Rite-Aid operates 10 stores in Indiana, but none in the Indianapolis area.
Lumber Liquidators plans $36M settlement in flooring cases
Lumber Liquidators, which has three stores in the Indianapolis area, has agreed to resolve claims brought on behalf of people who bought laminate flooring reported to contain unsafe levels of formaldehyde.
Sears stops selling Whirlpool, ending 100-year partnership
The struggling national retailer will no longer carry Whirlpool brands, including Maytag, KitchenAid and Jenn-Air, following a pricing disagreement.
North-side barbecue restaurant closes after 25 years
GT South’s Rib House was founded by Georgia native Gerald Travis South in June 1992 and remained in the South family after his death in 2005.
Carson’s parent seeing supplier pullback reminiscent of Toys ‘R’ Us
Some of the suppliers for Bon-Ton Stores Inc.—the parent of Circle Centre’s only anchor store—are scaling back shipments and asking to be paid sooner in order to protect themselves from potential losses.
U.S. retail sales see biggest surge in two-plus years
Americans are optimistic about the economic outlook. A measure of consumer sentiment released Friday rose to its highest level since 2004.
Noble Roman’s new tack: a back-to-future strategy
If Noble Roman’s Craft Pizza & Pub takes off, the company might franchise dozens of restaurants across the state.
Leather goods retail company Coach changing its name
Coach Inc., the iconic New York-based leather goods maker that has several stores in Indiana, is changing its corporate name after 76 years in business.
Kroger investors cheer as grocer eyes sale of convenience stores
The supermarket giant kicked off its biggest rally in more than two years after saying it might sell its convenience-store business. The operation spans 18 states, including Indiana, and generates about $4 billion in sales.