Holiday sales at stores down for third consecutive week
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.
Retailers
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U.S. credit card info is easy pickings for hackers
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.
Finish Line sees strong quarterly profit on big revenue rise
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.
Fury and frustration over Target data breach
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.
Holiday shopping season: A disappointment so far
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.
Local restaurant owners settle case of pizzeria plagiarism
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 Indiana retailers surge in 2013
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.
Cyber Monday still growing despite earlier online sales
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.
Supreme Court won’t hear appeal over Internet taxation
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.
Record shopping crowds over weekend, but spending falls
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.
Shoppers flood stores in bargain-hunting spree
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.
Holiday sales could ride on lower gasoline prices
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.
Finish Line shares continue climb after upgrade
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.
New Carmel company to boot J.C. Penney off S&P 500
J.C. Penney, which is trying to bounce back from its worst sales year in two decades, will be replaced by Carmel-based electronic security company Allegion, which is being spun off by Irish industrial conglomerate Ingersoll-Rand Plc.
Americans reluctant to spend on holidays without big deals
Since the recession began in late 2007, stores have had to offer financially-strapped Americans ever bigger price cuts just to get them into stores. But those discounts eat away at profit.
Northwest Indiana restaurants part of El Rodeo raids
The raids at La Carreta restaurants in Merrillville and Schererville were part of a larger investigation that targeted El Rodeo restaurants in the Indianapolis area, Lafayette, West Lafayette and Richmond.
Simon’s decision to open malls on Thanksgiving draws criticism
An online petition drive launched by employees of stores in Simon properties urges the company to rethink a decision to open its malls at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving. One petition so far has gathered nearly 18,000 signatures.
Chocolate artisan sets sights on Carmel
Shelbyville-based Chocolate for the Spirit is opening a retail storefront in Carmel in time for the holiday shopping season.
Ag-oriented retailer eyes new Westfield development
Tractor Supply Co. plans to move its Westfield store next year from U.S. 31 to a new development planned for State Road 32 just east of Spring Mill Road.
Discount retailers, grocers await impact of food-stamp cut
With an estimated 8 percent of shoppers using food stamps, the impact will probably be felt most acutely by discount retailers such as Dollar General Corp., Family Dollar Stores Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores, analysts say.