Indiana law spurs 'fireworks tourism' from Illinois
Fireworks store owners in northwest Indiana say half to 80 percent of their business comes from Illinois, where fireworks are strictly regulated. That's also good for restaurants and other retailers.
View ArticleToy sales on pace for best year in a decade
The growth is being fueled by increasing popularity of collectibles, toys based on Hollywood blockbuster films and better technology that allows toys to do things like talk back to children.
View ArticleVeteran jeweler Thrapp retiring, closing shop
Gary Thrapp will wind down operations at his north-side store at 56th and Illinois streets with a going-out-of-business sale starting Thursday.
View ArticleOutdoor retailer Cabela's may be hunting for a buyer
Cabela's, the outdoor sporting goods chain that opened a store in Noblesville in August, said it's exploring strategic alternatives.
View ArticleCircle Centre losing three tenants, including two originals
Gap and Gap Kids, which opened along with Circle Centre in 1995, plan to close Jan. 26. Also on the third floor, the American Greetings card shop is shutting down at the end of next month.
View ArticleArtisan distilleries are on the rise since 2013 law change
The state has approved permits to let 13 distilleries sell vodka, bourbon, whiskey and other spirits directly to the public. More permits are under consideration.
View ArticleResurgence of vinyl gives record stores new life
A number of local music stores are reporting dramatic sales growth in vinyl records, in both 7- and 12-inch format. For you old-timers, that’s 45s and 33s. A few 78s also are for sale.
View ArticleLongtime downtown tobacco shop closes
A sign in the window of Hardwicke's Pipe & Tobacco off of Monument Circle instructs patrons to visit its Broad Ripple store, which remains open.
View ArticleYoung & Laramore fetches national retail ad account
Pet Supplies Plus has hired Indianapolis-based ad agency Young & Laramore to help it take a bite out of competitors Petco and PetSmart.
View ArticleOwner of Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank to close 100s of stores
Tailored Brands Inc., which owns a dozen men's clothing stores in the Indianapolis area, announced the cost-cutting plan after sales slid during the holidays.
View ArticleLong-struggling surfwear chain nearing bankruptcy
Pacific Sunwear of California Inc., which operates 11 stores in Indiana and three in the Indianapolis area, is preparing to file for bankruptcy, according to people with knowledge of the situation.
View ArticleJudge urges Staples, Office Depot to discuss $6.3B deal
U.S. judge urged Staples Inc. and Office Depot lawyers to “sit down and talk” with the Federal Trade Commission about terms for resolving the agency’s opposition to their proposed merger.
View ArticleBackground checks for guns climb dramatically in Indiana
Indiana is on a pace to shatter last year's record of more than 1 million background checks.
View ArticleChanges in retail expand gulf between haves, have-nots
It turns out that Simon Property Group spun off its less profitable malls and zeroed in on high-end properties at just the right times. Analysts say middling malls are losing out as retailers decide...
View ArticleLocal retailers betting on board games
An expanding universe of specialty retailers in central Indiana and across the country is satiating an appetite for old-fashioned—and new-fashioned—board games.
View ArticleDick’s boosts annual forecast despite slumping golf sales
The sporting goods chain with eight area stores saw its stock rise as much as 10 percent Tuesday morning. The retailer is benefiting from the demise of its biggest rival.
View ArticleGun store argues no liability for straw sale linked to officer’s shooting
Lawyers for an Indianapolis gun store sued for making an illegal straw sale of a firearm that was used to shoot an Indianapolis police officer argued Wednesday that Indiana gun sellers are shielded...
View ArticleStock swoons at Lids' parent after company cuts outlook
Shares in Genesco Inc.—parent of Zionsville-based Lids Sports Group—dropped almost 30 percent Thursday after the company reported lower-than-expected sales in the second quarter and downgraded its...
View ArticleGolfsmith bankruptcy brings fresh woes to Under Armour, Nike
Golfsmith, which has 109 stores in the U.S. and 55 in Canada, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Wednesday. The retailer has one store in Indianapolis.
View ArticleAnderson University leads effort to draw young entrepreneurs with student debt
An Anderson University fine-arts-major-turned-entrepreneur has helped develop a unique student-loan-forgiveness program that encourages recent Indiana graduates to set up shop in Anderson.
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