Owner closes Butler-Tarkington hardware store after 43 years in business
The Ace Hardware owner cited a variety of reasons for the closure, including the difficulty of competing against larger retailers and increased business costs.
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Reopening date for downtown T.J. Maxx store still uncertain
The store on the ground floor of the historic William H. Block Building closed in the spring because of the pandemic. It sustained damage during the riots and looting that took place downtown in late May.
Ecommerce startup TruLocal preparing to launch in Indianapolis
The San Francisco-based company plans to offer local retailers an online platform where they can reach customers and sell their products.
Walmart ready to launch its answer to Amazon Prime
Called Walmart+, it will cost $98 a year, or $12.95 a month, and give members same-day delivery on 160,000 items and other benefits.
Walmart joins Microsoft in bid for video app TikTok
Walmart said in a statement Thursday that a deal with Microsoft and TikTok could help it expand its advertising business and reach more shoppers.
Walmart has huge quarter as Americans go online for pandemic supplies
With unemployment in the U.S. hitting frighteningly high levels, Walmart’s ability to deliver low-priced food, clothing and electronics strengthened its structural advantages.
Retailer Stein Mart files for bankruptcy, might close all 281 stores
Stein Mart is a discount retailer that runs 281 stores in 30 states, including four in the Indianapolis area.
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.
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.
Target joins Walmart in closing on Thanksgiving, ending Black Friday kickoff
The move, announced Monday, come as retailers are rethinking Black Friday in-store bargain shopping as they try to curb the spread of the coronavirus, which has seen a resurgence in a slew of states.
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.
David’s Tea closes Fashion Mall store, exits U.S. market
The struggling Canada-based retail chain is closing all 42 of its stores in the United States as it restructures its finances.
Customers used to have nearly endless options. Then came COVID-19.
Offering less inventory—a practice that goes against years of steadily expanded assortments of sizes and styles—is in many cases a necessity, not a choice. Even before the pandemic, supply chains were shifting due to the tariff war between the U.S. and China. Now, the global pandemic adds another layer of complexity as new manufacturing centers such as Bangladesh and parts of Central America become virus hot spots as well.
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.
Kroger, Kohl’s join Walmart on growing list of retailers to require face coverings
The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, on Wednesday said it is “encouraging all retailers to adopt a nationwide policy that requires customers to wear face coverings or masks to protect the health and well-being of customers, associates and partners during the coronavirus pandemic.”
Walmart to require all U.S. customers to wear masks
Walmart’s decision to mandate masks follows similar moves by Costco, Starbucks and Best Buy.
Downtown firms in no rush to get workers back to office
It could be months, or longer, before downtown bustles again with the office workers who help restaurants and other retailers thrive. And the wait might be a death knell for some of those retailers.
Sur La Table files for bankruptcy, to close dozens of stores
Kitchen goods retailer Sur La Table says it has reached a “stalking horse” agreement with New York-based Fortress Investment Group for a possible sale.
Jeans retailer Lucky files for bankruptcy, with Simon-affiliated group bidding to buy company
Lucky said it plans to close 13 stores and could shutter more during the bankruptcy process.
GNC to close at least one Indianapolis store, possibly as many as six
Vitamin and nutrition chain GNC Holdings on Wednesday identified four Indiana stores that will permanently close and seven others that could close as part of its bankruptcy reorganization.