Pernod Puts Its Buying Spree on Ice†

Wall Street Journal, July 24, 2008 — Ahead of the release of its fiscal-year sales Thursday, drinks maker Pernod Ricard SA signaled a change in its growth strategy.

The French company, which has been on an acquisition binge, said it plans to sit tight for the next few years and nurture the labels it already owns.

"Organic growth is a must," Pernod Managing Director Pierre Pringuet said in an interview.

Hilton to Tap Starwood Luxury Team†

Hotel Chain Aims to Bolster Presence In High-End Arena

Wall Street Journal, June 2, 2008 — As part of an ambitious plan to nearly double its luxury properties in the next year and create an upscale boutique hotel brand, Hilton Hotels Corp. has hired two luxury gurus away from competitor Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.

Hilton is expected to announce Monday the appointment of Ross Klein as global head of luxury and lifestyle brands for Hilton and Amar Lalvani as global head of luxury and lifestyle brand development. The moves are geared toward vaulting Hilton ahead in the luxury category, where it has trailed competitors.

Eight-Brand Pileup Dents GM's Turnaround Efforts†

Wall Street Journal, March 4, 2008 — Michael Maguire has mixed feelings about General Motors Corp.'s coming launch of the Chevrolet Traverse, a seven-passenger crossover wagon that promises to boost sales at his family's Chevy dealership along Route 206 in Bordentown, N.J. The trouble is, the Maguire Automotive Group also owns a Saturn store a mile up the road, and the Traverse will crimp demand for the Outlook, a nearly identical crossover GM's Saturn brand began selling about a year ago. The arrival of the Traverse will mean "the window has completely shut for Saturn," Mr. Maguire said.