Companies targeting big spenders with premium products
Companies from toothpaste makers to Chipolte are adding more premium items as they reach out to wealthier shoppers who are still spending freely even in the face of higher inflation.
Retailers
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Bill pits animal welfare activists against breeders and pet stores
The high-stakes battle pits the Humane Society of the United States and its efforts to protect animals against some national pet store chains, which say they simply want to be able to continue to sell puppies from USDA-licensed breeders.
Dollar General targeted by U.S. for systemic work hazards
Over the past two years, the Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued fines of $12.5 million against Dollar General, the most of any retailer during that period.
IBJ Podcast: How Homefield sprints to make apparel for Cinderellas of March Madness
In this week’s edition of the IBJ Podcast, Connor and Christa Hitchcock explain how they parlayed their success with small schools into agreements with the bigger names.
New Starbucks CEO plans to work in stores monthly
Laxman Narasimhan, the new CEO of Starbucks, has spent the last six months immersing himself in Starbucks, earning his barista certification as well as visiting stores, farms and manufacturing centers across the world.
‘Excuseflation’ helping prices—and corporate profits—remain high
A growing body of analysts and researchers see a pattern of companies using unusual disruptions as an excuse to raise prices for their goods and services, thereby allowing them to expand profit margins.
As bourbon booms, thirst for rare brands breeds skullduggery
The best bourbons are buttery, smooth and oaky, and a growing cult of aficionados is willing to pay an astonishing sum to score even a shot of these premium spirits. Some are even willing to bend or break laws.
Liquor store ownership group builds 60-store business of varied brands
Indiana Liquor Group has been acquiring stores in small cities and towns since 2019 and typically leaves the business names unchanged.
Computer retailer Micro Center to open first Indianapolis store
The first Micro Center store in Indiana is expected to open in July and employ 50 to 75 staff members. The Ohio-based retailer of computers, computer parts and other electronics presently operates 25 stores in 16 other states.
Indiana Senate passes legislation protecting retail dog sales
If approved, the legislation would interfere with a proposal banning dog, cat and rabbit retail sales—introduced just this month—making its way through the Indianapolis City-County Council.
Comic shop refocuses to cash in on events, tourists
“My business model completely changed,” said Downtown Comics owner Doug Stephenson of the Market Street store. “If you look at my sales chart, everything moved from Wednesday, which is traditionally the biggest day for comic stores … to the weekends.”
Discount retailer Tuesday Morning files for bankruptcy again
The retailer emerged from its last bankruptcy in January 2021 after closing about 200 stores, cutting its employee head count and slashing debt.
IBJ Podcast: He stitched handbags in his Irvington basement, and now it’s a $1M business
In conversation with podcast host Mason King, Howl & Hide’s Christian Resiak details the process of building the business from scratch and his grand plan to become a global brand.
Bed Bath & Beyond to close 5 more Indiana stores, including one in Noblesville
Struggling retailer Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. disclosed this week that it will close 150 more stores in the United States.
Bed Bath & Beyond plans share sale in bid to avoid bankruptcy
The retailer, which has been preparing for a Chapter 11 filing after lenders declared it in default last month, priced new convertible preferred securities and warrants, it said in a statement Tuesday, in a deal that will ultimately raise more than $1 billion.
Furniture retailer closing Indianapolis-area stores
The move into the Indy area in 2014 was supposed to the first step in a multi-market expansion for Weekends Only Furniture & Mattress. The whole chain is now slated for liquidation.
Is tide turning against tipping as requests become automatic?
As more businesses adopt digital payment methods, customers are automatically being prompted to leave a gratuity—many times as high as 30%—at places they normally wouldn’t.
Small retailers could seek fighting chance under Roosevelt-era antitrust law
For years, Robinson-Patman was a mainstay of FTC enforcement. But the law fell out of favor as antitrust experts focused on consumer prices, arguing that retailer discounts would likely be passed on to consumers.
Bed Bath & Beyond warns about bankruptcy as sales plummet
“There is substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern,” the retailer said in a statement.
Crunch Fitness plans Michigan Road location, the chain’s first in Indiana
Crunch Fitness plans to occupy part of former J.C. Penney location near the intersection of 86th Street and Michigan Road.