Hat World plans include new HQ, hiring 758 workers
The Indy-based retailer that operates nationally as Lids plans to build a 150,000-square-foot headquarters in Zionsville, beef up local distribution operations, and go on a major hiring spree.
The Indy-based retailer that operates nationally as Lids plans to build a 150,000-square-foot headquarters in Zionsville, beef up local distribution operations, and go on a major hiring spree.
The Governor's office said it plans to make "a major economic development announcement" Friday morning "regarding hundreds of new jobs for Hoosiers" at the headquarters of Hat World Inc. in Indianapolis.
The closings, which include five in the Indianapolis market, will leave the chain with 78 stores in two states.
The Indianapolis-based electronics and appliance retailer said its fiscal third-quarter sales during the holiday season were hurt by competitors offering deeper discounts.
A camera business that once had more than 30 locations in Ohio and Indiana is closing six of its remaining eight stores in the face of dropping sales and increased use of smartphone cameras.
The retailer claims the PIN numbers of some 40 million customers are safe and secure, but a security consultant counsels changing the access codes.
Jeremy J. Aguilar plans to take a similar position with another company, the Indianapolis-based retailer announced Thursday.
Compared with last December, shoppers are more choosy this year and holding back on spending at brick-and-mortar locations. But even online sales are running below their expected growth rate.
Incidences like the recent data theft affecting 40 million Target customers could become more common as retailers, banks and credit card companies argue over who should pay for security upgrades.
The company rebounded in its fiscal third quarter from a loss in the year-ago period, thanks in part to strong same-store sales and improvements in e-commerce sales.
Potential victims of credit card fraud tied to Target's security breach said they had trouble contacting the discounter through its website and call centers.
Sparse crowds at malls and "50 percent off" signs at The Gap and other stores offer clues as to how this holiday season is shaping up so far: It's the most discount-driven one since the U.S. was in a deep recession.
Napolese pizzeria and Crust Pizzeria Napoletana have quietly reached an agreement outside of court. Napolese owner Martha Hoover filed an intellectual property lawsuit against Crust owner Mohey Osman in October.
Shares of The Finish Line Inc., HHGregg Inc. and Shoe Carnival Inc. have been on a tear this year, rebounding to outperform the major stock indexes and rising at least 40 percent in value through the first of December. By comparison, the S&P 500 has gained about 28 percent.
Shoppers bought online at the heaviest rate ever Monday, according to research firm comScore Inc. The strong performance was in contrast to Black Friday weekend spending, which fell an estimated 2.9 percent.
The move likely will prompt more states to attempt to collect taxes on Internet sales — and ignite a furious battle in Congress between Internet sellers, brick-and-mortar stores and states hungry for extra tax revenue.
Retailers got Americans into stores during the start to the holiday shopping season. Now, they'll need to figure out how to get them to actually buy things.
Faced with smaller crowds of less confident consumers, as well as six fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas than last year, retailers are pouring on margin-eating discounts to grab market share.
Many retail analysts have forecast a ho-hum sales gain of about 2 percent this year; others predict an increase of up to 3.9 percent. But steadily cheaper gas could send holiday sales shooting above 5.4 percent, analysts say.
Two investment analysts raised their ratings for Finish Line on Monday, saying the Indianapolis-based athletic shoe and clothing retailer has the opportunity for margin recovery and a stronger online performance.