Black Friday boosts car sales to best rate since ‘Clunkers’
U.S. consumers, who set records for retail purchases during Thanksgiving weekend, helped boost U.S. auto sales in November to what is likely to be their fastest pace in more than two years.
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Finish Line exec Cohen plans to retire in March
Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary Gary Cohen, a key figure in a recent acquisition, will step down from his posts on Thursday and will help with the transition until his retirement in 2012.
Indiana retailers making push for online sales tax
A new coalition of Indiana retailers is planning a lobbying push aimed at convincing state lawmakers to force online businesses to collect the state's 7-percent sales taxes from customers.
Thanksgiving weekend retail sales jump to record $52.4B
U.S. retail sales during Thanksgiving weekend climbed 16 percent to a record, as shoppers flocked to stores earlier and spent more, according to the National Retail Federation. Sales totaled $52.4 billion, and the average shopper spent $398.62 over the holiday weekend, up from $365.34 a year earlier.
Shoppers scuffle on earlier-than-ever Black Friday
A shopper in Los Angeles pepper-sprayed her competition for an Xbox and scuffles broke out elsewhere around the U.S. as bargain-hunters started the madness known as Black Friday. In all, 152 million people are expected to shop this weekend in the U.S., and will account for about 12 percent of overall holiday revenue.
Washington Square owner Simon not paying on $12.8M loan
Traffic is low and vacancies are high at Washington Square Mall, the most troubled local property for Indianapolis-based mall giant Simon Property Group Inc.
New restaurant to anchor Fountain Square Theatre building
The End of the Line Public House will replace the Shelbi Street Cafe.
Indy Reads to open downtown bookstore
Literacy group seeks more visibility, outlet for used book donations.
Martinsville Candy Kitchen hangs hopes on handmade canes
Shop owners John and Pam Badger churn out more than 20,000 candy canes in November and December, but they'd like to boost business the other 10 months of the year.
Hendricks County ‘hotspot’ for package-liquor permits
Four package liquor permits in the county west of Indianapolis fetched a total of nearly $1 million, roughly a quarter of the $3.8 million the state netted during an auction of 279 new alcohol permits in Indiana.
L.A. Fitness buying Bally clubs, including Indy location
The deal is the latest sign of turmoil in the health club industry, which is consolidating after a spurt of overbuilding.
Shoe Carnival quarterly earnings rise 15 percent
The Indiana-based footwear and accessories company reported Thursday that its earnings rose to $10.5 million for the period ended Oct. 29, up from $9.1 million a year ago.
Bank hits Centre Properties with $43M suit
Three local strip centers owned by longtime Indianapolis developer Centre Properties are the target of a $43 million foreclosure lawsuit brought by the real estate firm’s lender.
Lifestyle Family Fitness closes 2 locations, sells 2 others
Minnesota-based Life Time Fitness is buying the two sites that will remain open. One is in Fishers and the other is near 96th and Meridian streets in Indianapolis.
Simon widow loses another battle in estate fight
The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Bren Simon doesn’t have legal standing to challenge a judge’s decision not to recuse himself from overseeing the court fight over her late husband Melvin’s $2 billion estate.
Employees sue Finish Line over manager’s secret camera use
Indianapolis-based retailer Finish Line is fighting a lawsuit by five women who say their former store manager secretly recorded them in the bathroom and dressing room.
Local rental car firm named best in nation in J.D. Power survey
Indianapolis-based Ace Rent A Car expects boost in business after topping big national competitors for first time in J.D. Power and Associates survey.
INSIDE DISH: Brewpub beats sales goals in rocky first year
With an $80,000 nut and some luck with bank loans, D.J. McCallister has beaten staffing woes and an unforeseen sales slump to make newcomer Black Swan Brewpub a break-even enterprise.
Newcomer Jos. A. Bank fuels hope for street-level retail
The 500-location menswear chain Jos. A. Bank is opening a street-level storefront location on a once-blighted block of East Washington Street, and the vote of confidence from such a growing national retailer could help persuade other stores to give downtown a look.
My Toy Garden wades into specialty retail business
A teacher for 17 years, Carmel resident Janet Pillsbury opened her store in September to give shoppers more options.