Retail

Sales tax growth a positive sign for Wichita-area businesses

If last year felt like a slightly better year for local businesses, that’s because it was.

Retail sales forecast to rise, but not as much

The National Retail Federation on Monday forecast that U.S. retail sales will rise 3.4 percent in 2013, a pretty lukewarm number, and below the 2012 amount of 4.2 percent.

Retail sales a mixed bag as Christmas gets closer

Retail business for local stores was a mixed bag this week, with only a few days left to shop before Christmas.

Merchants keep deals flowing as holiday sales jump 13%

U.S. retailers are extending deals into Cyber Monday and beyond to try to sustain a 13 percent gain in Thanksgiving weekend sales.

Wichita shoppers brave cold, crowds in search of Black Friday deals

Carrie Penka and her mom, Rosie Dechant, didn’t get the $8 crockpots they wanted.

But they don’t sweat the small stuff.

“There are crock-pot hoarders up there,” said Penka as they left JC Penney at Towne West around 6:45 a.m. Friday. “There was a lady with five or six crockpots! Other than that we got absolutely everything on our list – and a little more.”

More stores offering ‘Black Friday’ deals earlier, on Thanksgiving

For some shoppers, the notion of staying up into the wee hours of the morning to find the best deals of the season sounds like a rush.

QuikTrip to build Gen 3 store at Kellogg, Broadway

QuikTrip hopes to build as many as two more Generation 3 stores in Wichita, and an official of the company says that’s the model QuikTrip will go with when building new stores.

Holiday retail forecast optimistic

Don’t try to tell retailers it’s too early for holiday shopping.

Growth of franchises outpaces other business

After about 30 years, Bonnie Fehr wasn’t happy with the way things were going at her company.

Local Halloween retailers hope to reap profit from the holiday

Whether dressed as ominous Grim Reapers or sparkly vampires, as sexy nurses or traditional ghosts, an estimated 170 million Americans are expected to participate in Halloween festivities this year, according to a retail group.

Retailers expect slight growth in holiday sales

It’s not yet October, but retailers have already spent months thinking hard about holiday shopping.

How Wichita booksellers read the future

Last year Wichita saw its biggest contraction in chain bookstores.

Longtime Wichita car dealer Edward ‘Eddy’ Steven dies at 94

When Edward “Eddy” Steven started in the car business more than 50 years ago, he did paperwork out of the back of a car because he didn’t have an office.

Marshalls grand opening Thursday at NewMarket Square

Jerry Jones said he’s tried for a long time to get Marshalls to come to his northwest Wichita retail development.

Retail survey: Back-to-school spending up 14 percent

All those calculators and pencils for school add up, but to what?

Whole Foods Market bringing store to Wichita at new Waterfront Plaza

A new phase of the Waterfront development will be the home of Whole Foods Market when it arrives in Wichita late next year.

New owner plans improvements at Andover Crossing; Perfect Party to open there

UPDATED — A group called Commercial Equity has purchased Andover Crossing, an almost 10,000-square-foot center near the northeast corner of Kellogg and Andover Road, with plans to remodel it and add tenants.

Spice Merchant to devote space to selling tea

Spice Merchant owner Bob Boewe is preparing to transform his former deli space into an area exclusively devoted to tea.

Foreclosure sought on Crestview Place Shopping Center

The note-holder of Crestview Place Shopping Center, at the southwest corner of 21st and Woodlawn, is seeking to foreclose on the property.