Restaurants, bars say they’re getting squeezed by rising music licensing costs
Businesses say the rising licensing costs have become overwhelming, and some question whether it’s even worth playing music at all.
Retail
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Amazon extends Prime Day discounts to 4 days as retailers weigh tariff-related price increases
Amazon’s past success with using Prime Day to drive sales and attract new members spurred other major retail chains to schedule competing sales in July. Best Buy, Target and Walmart are repeating the practice this year.
IBJ Podcast: ‘Am I crazy for doing this?’ asks attorney turned bookstore owner
Tiffany Phillips discusses how she got Wild Geese Bookshop off the ground, developed a national reputation and fights fears that championing the printed word in retail “doesn’t make any sense.”
Pier 48 restaurant moves from downtown, citing effects of nearby construction
Pier 48 Fish House & Oyster Bar is establishing a pop-up location at George’s Neighborhood Grill on the northeast side of Indianapolis.
Lululemon’s lawsuit against Costco highlights rise of fashion ‘dupes’
Across the retail industry, it’s far from a new phenomenon. But social media is pushing the culture of online dupe shopping to new heights as influencers direct their followers to where they can buy the knockoffs.
Home Depot buying building supply business in deal worth $5.5B
The acquisitions arrive as booming sales from the pandemic fade and Home Depot intensifies its focus on professional builders.
Fashion Mall to add scenting shop, recycled T-shirt company
Aroma360 and casual apparel brand Marine Layer plan to open shops at the Fashion Mall at Keystone.
Jack’s Donuts corporate turmoil affecting some local franchisees
Since last fall, four creditors have sued Jack’s Donuts of Indiana Commissary LLC for money they say they’re owed. Of those four cases, two have resulted in judgments against Jack’s totaling just over $888,000.
Americans cut back on spending as inflation ticks higher
Consumer sentiment has also fallen sharply this year in the wake of the sometimes-chaotic rollout of President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Second Broad Ripple bar owner charged with underreporting millions in sales
The owner of Rock Lobster and other bars is the second owner charged as a result of an investigation that began with 10 Broad Ripple establishments.
Slapfish picks Market District in Carmel for 4th area restaurant
Restaurateurs and Carmel residents Mark and Lauren Weghorst plan to begin renovating the 3,300-square-foot space this summer before opening later this year.
Temu sales plunge 25% in United States, but rival Shein sees growth
Temu’s sales decline in the U.S. is deepening as the online marketplace drastically cuts spending on advertising targeting American consumers, signaling a shift in focus after President Donald Trump’s tariff barrage.
Some restaurants and servers oppose ‘no tax on tips’ budget proposal
The Independent Restaurant Coalition, which represents nearly 100,000 restaurant and bars, has appealed to Congress to reconsider the proposal, which is part of the president’s spending bill.
Retail sales slid in May as Americans turned cautious
The figure was pulled down by a steep drop in auto sales, after Americans ramped up their car-buying in March to get ahead of a 25% duty on imported cars and car parts.
Pacers see ‘overwhelming’ merchandise demand amid playoffs, NBA Finals run
The Pacers Team Store has experienced a surge in merchandise sales as the Pacers continue battling for the NBA championship.
Owner of Broad Ripple bar charged with underreporting more than $4.5M in sales
John Yaggi also faces a misdemeanor charge related to allegations that he offered an employee higher-paying shifts in exchange for sexual favors.
Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana to merge with Illinois counterpart
The combined nonprofit will operate in 40 Indiana counties and 21 central Illinois counties, serving tens of thousands of people.
Qdoba returns to the south side of downtown Indianapolis
The new Qdoba follows the December closure of a location near Monument Circle that served customers for 25 years.
Shoppers wary of digital shelf labels, but more retailers are rolling them out
Some shoppers, consumer advocates and lawmakers remain skeptical about the tiny electronic screens, which let stores change prices instantly from a central computer instead of having workers swap out paper labels by hand.
Michaels completes acquisition of Joann’s intellectual property and fan-favorite labels
Craft labels from the now-closed fabrics seller Joann are making their way to a new home: Michaels.