Simon boosts dividend after gains in sales, occupancy, rent
Simon Property Group Inc. said sales at its U.S. malls jumped 11.2 percent in its most recent quarter, to $546 per square foot. Simon malls were 93.6-percent occupied, up from 93 percent.
Retail
Articles
Best Buy’s turnaround may pinch HHGregg
The struggling electronics chain Best Buy has launched a turnaround strategy that borrows more than a few pages from the playbook of competitor HHGregg.
Canal Walk popular, but full of opportunities missed
City leaders once envisioned the Canal Walk as a bustling pathway lined with restaurants and shops, but residential and office buildings have sprouted instead on most of the parcels along the meandering 1-1/2-mile stretch–making it more of a local amenity than a visitor attraction.
INSIDE DISH: Nostalgic Shallos does brisk business swiftly
The 31-year-old, south-side institution is approaching a potential turning point as it breaks sales records and continues to hone lightning-quick food prep and table turnover.
Law change allows entrepreneurs to market homemade food
Many Indiana home-based food businesses owe their existence to a law enacted in 2009 that allows them to sell certain types of foods at farmers’ markets and their own roadside stands with minimal state oversight.
Castleton Square will get new stores catering to youth
Forever 21 is more than tripling its square footage at the north-side mall by taking the former Borders bookstore space.
Earth Fare grocery replacing Borders at Hamilton Town Center
An upscale supermarket chain focused on natural and organic products is taking the former Borders bookstore space at Hamilton Town Center. The store will be the first in Indiana for the privately held chain.
Finish Line to sell Special Olympics merchandise
The agreement to sell the organization’s items online and in stores is part of a multiyear partnership in which Indianapolis-based Finish Line has agreed to lend support to Special Olympics.
Indiana escapes Best Buy’s closure plans
Indiana isn’t part of Best Buy’s plan to close 50 stores, the electronics retail chain announced over the weekend.
Advertising art to find home at historical society
The collection brings to light a bygone era in advertising when Block's and other big downtown department stores ruled the retail landscape and employed their own fashion illustrators.
Agency increases effort to help state’s artisans sell wares
Three years after budget cuts threatened the state-run Indiana Artisan program, the newly independent organization is moving ahead with ambitious plans to broaden its reach—and help artists and food producers build their businesses.
Plan envisions hot growth for downtown Indianapolis
A study commissioned by the office of Mayor Greg Ballard envisions a much more densely populated, walkable downtown core stretched by several blocks and supported by another Circle Centre mall's worth of retail and enough new office space to double the size of Chase Tower.
Former Mike’s Carwash partner seeking $30M
Jerry Dahm is asking a Hamilton Superior Court judge to force the two owners of the company to buy his stake in its real estate arm for more than $26.2 million, on top of another $3.3 million he wants from his share in the car wash chain. The two owners already have agreed to pay him $17.1 million.
Political worries contribute to robust firearms sales
The presidential election is still a long way off, but large numbers of Indianapolis-area gun owners seem to think Barack Obama is a surefire bet for a second term. Uneasiness over his re-election (and fear that he might push for strict gun control laws) has sparked a run on weapons and ammunition.
Hendricks County promotes locally owned pizza
Amo Pizza Shop beat out Rock Star Pizza in a competition intended to boost sales for 16 homegrown eateries.
Hofmeister seeks financing to emerge from bankruptcy
Despite objections from unsecured creditors, a federal bankruptcy judge granted the jeweler's request to hire an outside consultant to help it seek alternative financing to repay the balance of a PNC Bank loan.
Local automobile dealers enjoy big month of sales
New car sales nationally rose about 13 percent last month as consumers replaced aging vehicles and took advantage of cheap financing. Sales were way up for many Indianapolis auto dealers.
LEADING QUESTIONS: Foodie rebukes allure of ‘Plan B’
What did the founder of Cafe Patachou learn from Butler's Brad Stevens? Why not try franchises? Martha Hoover responds in Part II of her IBJ interview.
Finish Line launches running venture, reports strong sales
The Finish Line Inc. will partner with a private equity firm to expand its specialty running shops and develop Run.com, the Indianapolis-based retailer said Friday. The company also reported strong fourth-quarter earnings, but its outlook sent shares tumbling.
Lafayette Square amusement center closes
America’s Incredible Pizza Co. shut down on Sunday, leaving a 75,000-square-foot vacancy in the struggling shopping center on Indianapolis’ west side.