Wednesday’s business headlines

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Here’s a look at Wednesday’s business headlines.

Duke Energy

The Wall Street Journal reports Nextera Energy recently made a takeover approach to Duke Energy.

Duke rebuffed the approach but Nextera is still interested in pursuing a deal but it would be difficult as it would need to go through all kinds of government hoops.

Duke provides electricity to roughly 7.7 million retail customers in six states, including Indiana.

New business

Americans are starting new businesses at the fastest rate in more than a decade, according to government data.

Applications for the employer identification numbers than entrepreneurs need to start a business have passed 3.2 million so far this year., compared to 2.7 million at the same point in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Nordstrom

Nordstrom is the first major U.S. retailer to say it will stop selling products made from fur and exotic skins.

The Nordstrom ban will go into effect in 2021.

Dozens of major designers, including Chanel, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors have adopted similar policies in recent years as more consumers demand it.

Disney

Disney is laying off 28,000 people in the United Staes as the coronavirus pandemic hammers its parks and resorts business.

The cuts will affect the Disney parks, experiences and product unit. The company said 67% of the employees laid off will be part-time workers.

The staffing cuts were necessary because of the “prolonged impact” of coronavirus on business that included “limited capacity due to physical distancing requirements and the continued uncertainty regarding the duration of the pandemic.’