Vera Bradley CEO to step down in wake of $33.5M quarterly loss
Jackie Ardrey has been CEO of the Indiana-based handbag and luggage designer since November 2023.
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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.
Franklin’s Wild Geese Bookshop has energy that keeps authors, readers coming back
The small bookstore is regularly drawing big authors and bigger audiences. A close-knit community of readers has coalesced around the shop and around Phillips.
In Westfield, long-sought boost comes with pain
Reconstruction and widening of State Road 32 through town, a project that was in the works for year, finally started in April; it’s expected to last through at least 2026.
Homeowners spending on renovations, repairs despite uncertain economy, higher prices
Many homeowners have opted to to invest in sprucing up their home rather than sell and take on a mortgage with a sharply higher interest rate.
‘No tax on tips’ plan part of GOP budget bill. Here’s what it does.
The proposal has widespread support from the public, lawmakers in both parties and employers who believe such a law will bring relief to the working class.
Levi Strauss agrees to sell Casual Friday staple Dockers for up to $391M
While it was not the sole—or very first—creator of dressed-down office looks, Dockers has been widely-credited as an integral part to Casual Friday’s rise, particularly in the 1990s.
Kohl’s ousts CEO Buchanan after investigation into some vendor transactions
The firing comes at a time when Kohl’s, which operates 1,600 stores across the country, is wrestling with sluggish sales.
Small retailers fear a lack of resources, time to ride out tariff results
Retailers across the Indianapolis area and across the country are bracing for the full impact of recent Trump administration tariffs, which they see as an immediate threat to their businesses.
Secondhand retailers poised to benefit if tariffs drive up new clothing costs
Price hikes may drive cost-conscious shoppers to online resale sites, consignment boutiques and thrift stores in search of bargains or a way to turn their wardrobes into cash.
Q&A with Oliver Winery CEO Pat Brown about the company’s growth
“My goal is, let’s have another 50 years,” Brown said. “How do we set ourselves up to keep the foundation and build on it? And there’s another 50, 100 years in this business or more.”
E-commerce sites Temu, Shein say they’re raising prices due to tariffs
Temu, which is owned by the Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings, and Shein, which is now based in Singapore, said in separate but nearly identical notices that their operating expenses have gone up “due to recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs.”
New festival aims to increase appreciation of coffee and chocolate
Mokao is designed to raise awareness about what it takes for coffee to arrive in your cup and for chocolate to arrive on a store’s shelf, while also celebrating the communal power of coffee shops.
Dollar Tree selling Family Dollar to private equity firms for $1B
The acquisition price marks a massive discount compared with how much Dollar Tree Inc. paid to buy Family Dollar in 2015 after a bidding war with rival Dollar General.
Kroger blames Albertsons for merger’s demise in new court filings
Kroger said in Tuesday’s court filing that it should not be forced to pay Albertsons a $600 million termination fee as well as billions of dollars in legal fees.
Indiana-based Shoe Carnival to convert more stores to Shoe Station brand
Shoe Carnival said it will transition 175 stores to the Shoe Station banner over the next two years, with the first 50 to 75 stores being completed in the first fiscal year.
Retailer Forever 21 plans liquidation sales after second bankruptcy
The retailer, which has minority ownership ties to Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, has two stores in the Indianapolis area.
Vera Bradley to sell Pura Vida business as part of ‘strategic evolution’
Vera Bradley, which had already acquired a 75% ownership stake in the California-based jewelry brand in 2019, acquired the remaining 25% interest in 2023.
Ray Skillman planning to relocate west-side Indy dealerships to Whitestown
Indianapolis-based Ray Skillman Auto Group has submitted plans to the town of Whitestown to build its first car dealerships in the northern suburbs.
Indoor golf venues take off with serious, casual players
An increasing number of indoor golf clubs in the metropolitan area provide food, drinks and golf simulators that allow users to play full rounds or just take some hacks on dozens of golf courses from around the world.