Local partnership acquires chain of 31 Indiana liquor stores
A group composed of a former medical equipment executive, Indiana’s former secretary of commerce and the chairman of the Indiana Republican Party has acquired Save-On Liquors.
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Drowning in debt, FullBeauty Brands to file Chapter 11
The online retailer of plus-size women’s apparel with a deep history in Indianapolis and nearly half its workers here is attempting to extricate itself from a debt load of $1.3 billion.
Airport wants to add FAO Schwarz, MAC cosmetics, others to retail lineup
Airport officials have reached lease agreements covering 19 retailers, the first wave of deals negotiated as part of the airport’s concessions refresh program. The airport authority’s board is set to vote on the contracts Friday.
Sears to survive after chairman prevails in bankruptcy auction
With a bid of more than $5 billion, Eddie Lampert has won a bankruptcy auction for Sears with a plan that will keep the retailer in business and seek to save tens of thousands of jobs.
Gymboree expected to declare bankruptcy, close at least 6 Indy-area stores
This would be the second bankruptcy for the children’s clothing retailer in less than two years, but the chances for survival look very slim.
Weak holiday sales at department stores catch many off guard
Shares in Macy’s and Kohl’s plunged Thursday after they reported weaker-than-expected holiday results. Target, however, had a jolly Christmas season.
Needler’s Fresh Market to close Indianapolis store
Fresh Encounter Inc. purchased 15 former Marsh Supermarkets locations in 2017 and renamed all but one of them Needler’s Fresh Market. Now, the Geist location is closing for good.
Goody’s stores to be replaced by Gordmans in six central Indiana cities
Stage Stores Inc., a Houston-based retailer that operates nearly 800 stores nationwide, plans to close six Goody’s stores in central Indiana next month and replace them with Gordmans stores in March.
Kroger, Microsoft team up to create futuristic grocery store
Kroger, America’s biggest supermarket chain, has remodeled two stores to test out the new features, which include “digital shelves” that can show ads and change prices on the fly along with a network of sensors that keep track of products and help speed shoppers through the aisles.
Macy’s store in Indianapolis set for closure
Macy’s plans to close its store at Glendale Town Center, leaving the 60-year-old Indianapolis shopping center without its largest and oldest anchor.
Crispy Bird fried-chicken joint by Patachou closing after departure of founding team
Instead of trying to continue operating the Meridian-Kessler eatery, Patachou leaders say the space is needed to temporarily house the operations of the company’s fast-growing, not-for-profit foundation.
Beauty Brands closing 25 stores, including three in Indianapolis area
The regional chain of salon and spa superstores plans to close all but one of its locations in the Indianapolis area as part of a major corporate restructuring.
Pier 1 sinks as it evaluates strategic alternatives, ousts chief
Pier 1, which has five stores in the Indianapolis area, unveiled an ambitious turnaround plan in April, but the retailer saw its sales slump deepen last quarter as it entered the critical holiday shopping period.
Genesco still seeking buyer for Lids amid declining sales
Tennessee-based parent Genesco says it is still optimistic it can sell its Lids unit, while acknowledging it has taken longer than expected to find a buyer for the headwear retailer.
Walgreens expands prescription delivery program nationwide
Walgreens is joining rival drugstore chain CVS Health in expanding home deliveries for prescriptions, as stores continue adjusting to a retail world made more consumer-friendly by online competition.
Sears’ biggest shareholder bids $4.6B for rest of bankrupt chain
Eddie Lampert took his first step toward rescuing Sears Holdings Corp. from bankruptcy with a $4.6 billion bid that would keep hundreds of stores open and preserve about 50,000 jobs.
Greenwood-based One Click Ventures acquired by eyewear heavyweight
Randy Stocklin, who founded the company with his wife, Angie Stocklin, will remain with the company.
Landlord suing Mo’s Irish Pub for $100K in rent, liquor permit
Hamilton Town Center claims that the operator of the now-closed Irish-themed restaurant has reneged on an agreement to sell the valuable liquor, wine and beer permit back to the landlord.
Virtual reality plays growing role in retail
Early-adopter retailers in central Indiana—including Walmart, Macy’s and California Closets—are embracing virtual reality for employee training or to enhance customer experiences.
Surge in online holiday sales may bring February hangover
The takeaway from the past few days is that Americans are spending at unprecedented levels, and the overwhelming majority of that growth—if not all of it—is online.