Fauci says parts of U.S. could open next month
He says a “rolling re-entry” will be required based on the status of the new coronavirus pandemic in various parts of the country.
Retail
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Scandinavian Designs furniture chain set to enter market
The California-based company has 38 stores in 10 states. Its planned Indianapolis location, at a former Toys “R” Us store near Castleton Square Mall, will be its first in the state.
Carryout just isn’t cutting it for many local restaurants
Some local restaurants trying to stay afloat without dine-in service report sales have plunged by two-thirds or more, raising questions about how much longer they’ll be able to survive.
Asbury Automotive furloughs 215 employees at local car dealerships
Asbury, which has eight Indianapolis-area dealerships, said it’s furloughing 2,300 employees across its 10-state operating footprint due to a sharp drop-off in sales and service revenue.
Governor tightens retail restrictions, requires liquor stores to switch to takeout
The new executive order, which extends the stay-at-home directive through April 20, includes many of the same provisions as the initial order, which took effect March 25, but it adds new language in an attempt to strengthen the existing guidelines and creates an Enforcement Response Team to ensure businesses are complying.
Isaiah Kuperstein, local grocer and noted Holocaust historian, dies from COVID-19
In addition to being the longtime owner of the Indianapolis-based Double 8 Foods grocery chain, Kuperstein was the first director of education for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.
Retail landlords weigh tenant-relief requests
Local landlords say they’re willing to offer relief to some of their retail tenants who’ve been hit hard by coronavirus-related closures—but the amount of relief, if any, varies depending on circumstances.
Mall giant Simon chops corporate staff as COVID-19 wreaks havoc
The company is cutting more than 100 employees and furloughing others as it weathers the temporary shutdown of much of the retail industry.
Retailers furlough 500,000 despite stimulus; more expected
Millions more are in danger of being furloughed or fired as chains reel from nationwide closures that started about two weeks ago and have totaled nearly 50,000 locations.
Sushi restaurant opens in former Milano Inn
The restaurant, part of Holladay Properties’ LaGrotte Square development, opened on the same day that a coronavirus-related prohibition on in-house restaurant dining took effect. The owners say they’ve seen good support from neighbors who have come for take-out orders in the restaurant’s first week.
Musk restaurant group closes Indy locations, won’t reopen one after virus scare
Upscale restaurant Hedge Row and the more casual Next Door both opened in Indianapolis in 2018. Both are part of The Kitchen Restaurant Group founded by Kimbal Musk.
Social distancing shifts many small businesses into survival mode
Concerns about the spread of COVID-19 have put in peril thousands of businesses, from restaurants and hotels to airlines and manufacturers of consumer goods.
Walmart hiring 150,000, starting parking lot virus testing
While retailers such as Macy’s Inc., Kohl’s Corp. and J.C. Penney have been forced to temporarily close their stores, others like Walmart and Costco Wholesale Corp. are experiencing a surge in sales normally seen around the holiday peak.
Gouging complaints surge across nation amid pandemic
Across a country where lines are long, some shelves are empty and patience is thin, authorities are receiving a surge of reports about merchants trying to cash in on the coronavirus crisis with outrageous prices, phony cures and other scams.
Local high-end restaurants adapting to in-house dining restrictions
Some are switching their menus to carryout-friendly fare and redeploying servers as delivery drivers.
Ikea temporarily shutting down all U.S. stores
The international retailer opened its Fishers store in October 2017.
Panic buying leaves retailers scrambling to restock
Grocers big and small are hiring more workers, paying overtime and limiting purchases on certain high demand items as they scramble to restock shelves that have been wiped out in response to the global viral pandemic.
U.S. retail sales fell in February ahead of virus impact
The report suggests consumers had already begun to scale back on spending before the number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. began accelerating.
Amazon to hire 100,000 in U.S., raise pay by $2 per hour to keep up with demand
Raises will go to workers at Amazon’s warehouses, delivery centers and Whole Foods grocery stores, all of whom make at least $15 an hour.
Hogsett closes gyms, entertainment venues and nightclubs—and warns against local travel
The order will be in effect for at least seven days. Hogsett plans to seek permission from the Indianapolis City-County Council on Monday night to extend the order to April 5.