More pay, greater confidence lifts U.S. retail sales 0.6 percent
Americans stepped up their auto buying and online shopping in December, reflecting a boost in confidence after the election and an increase in pay.
Retailers
Articles
Mass Ave Toys to help anchor evolving north-side retail center
The owners of 54th & Monon Shops, a three-building complex, are nearly finished converting the former industrial area into a retail hub.
HHGregg expecting major drop in sales in latest quarter
HHGregg released preliminary sales results for its latest quarter Monday after the market closed. Shares fell 24 percent in after-hours trading, to $1 each, after closing at $1.31.
Hustler Hollywood sues city over zoning roadblocks
Beverly Hills-based Hustler Hollywood says city officials are incorrectly classifying its planned Castleton store as an adult business, which is preventing it from opening its doors. It filed suit over the denial on Thursday.
Sears to sell famed Craftsman tool brand to Stanley Black & Decker
After controlling the Craftsman name for 90 years, troubled department store operator Sears said it will sell the famous tool brand.
Local Macy’s, Sears stores escape new round of closures
Macy’s on Wednesday announced plans to close 68 of its department stores and eliminate 10,000 jobs. Sears Holdings, meanwhile, is closing 108 Kmart stores and 42 Sears department stores.
Limited stores, including two in Indy, closing nationwide
The longtime clothing retailer shut the doors to its Circle Centre mall location Dec. 24, while the one at Castleton Square Mall is set to close Saturday.
HHGregg hires new chief merchandising officer
Aaron Trahan, 32, is the fifth person to hold this job since 2012 at the struggling Indianapolis-based retailer.
Sears Holdings lines up $200M in financing to stay afloat
The move signals that hedge fund manager Eddie Lampert remains committed to bankrolling Sears, even as the once-mighty department-store chain suffers from dwindling sales and billions in red ink.
High CFO turnover for retailers a sign of the times
The rapid turnover is a symptom of the quickly changing retail industry, as shifting consumer behavior demands new strategies from companies trying to keep up.
UPS says it expects to make 1.3M returns to retailers in one day
UPS expects to deliver 1.3 million packages back to retailers on Jan. 5, which is celebrated by the delivery service as “National Returns Day.”
Holiday sales on pace for biggest gain since 2005
Shoppers abandoned their early reluctance and pushed U.S. holiday sales to the biggest increase in more than a decade, a research firm said Tuesday. Online sales grew an estimated 15 percent as Amazon Inc. had its best season yet.
2016 TOP STORIES: Locally based retailers send CEOs packing
Three major Indianapolis-based retailers struggling with declining sales replaced their CEOs this year as they tried to improve company financials.
Struggling Finish Line strives to reduce reliance on apparel
Slumping sales of apparel led the Indianapolis-based athletic clothier to report a steep loss in its latest quarter.
Three area Sears stores set to close in January
The stores are all operated by Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc., a struggling public company that was spun off by Sears Holdings Corp. in 2012.
Scotty’s Brewhouse founder completes sale of 17-restaurant chain
A Scottsdale, Arizona-based company announced Friday that it has closed on its acquisition of Indianapolis-based restaurant chain Scotty’s Brewhouse. IBJ first reported the deal in October.
Starbucks’ plan to win lunch crowd may be tough task for new CEO
Starbucks Corp. wants to persuade its coffee-loving customers to come back for lunch, after stumbling several times in previous attempts to expand its food offerings.
Report: Thanksgiving, Black Friday sales up 9 percent
According to First Data, almost 25 percent of the holiday dollars spent over the two-day period came from e-commerce, up from 18 percent last year and nearly 16 percent in 2014.
With deals offered early, Cyber Monday may lose online sales title
The Monday after Thanksgiving is traditionally the busiest online shopping day, but stores are releasing internet deals earlier, stretching them through the week, as well as making them available in stores.
Thanksgiving weekend shoppers spend less in stores, more online
Weekend shoppers picked up hot toys, TVs and new Apple products, buying both online and in stores, but spent less per person because of rampant discounting that they’ve come to demand.