business

There's news from a major hardware store chain that has 38 Illinois locations that could be bad news and good news at the same time.

When Big Lots announced hundreds of store closings a month ago, some thought that might be the complete list. It's not and now there are suddenly 3 additional Illinois locations that will soon be closing their doors forever.

Hundreds in Illinois learned Tuesday that they have been laid off as supply chain companies are cutting back.

Will Missouri's minimum wage go up and if so, by how much?

It appears that the big are getting bigger. A group that owns and operates many Missouri Panera Bread locations reportedly just purchased 13 more restaurants.

Any business owner will tell you that profits come and profits go and the outlook can turn on a dime with changing conditions. That appears to be the case for a burger chain that has a location in Illinois that says it suddenly may be declaring bankruptcy based on a new report.

There was big chatter a few years ago about how Gamestop was planning to close hundreds of stores, but then that discussion stopped being a news item. However, I've learned that the company has rather quietly closed several Illinois and Missouri locations recently with little fanfare.

I saw a surprising report today after an earnings call by Noodles & Company. Underperforming locations were mentioned and the estimate is that between 15 and 20 may close. The question now is how many of the 59 current restaurants in Illinois might be affected.

It continues to be a rough go in the brick and mortar retail world as Big Lots has announced plans to close at least 40 locations in the next 12 months. The question is how many Missouri stores will be a part of that plan?

There were some very dire statements in a new update from Big Lots about what the rest of the year will be like for the retail chain. Reports say there are plans to close 40 stores and the question now is how many of the 29 current Illinois locations will be affected.