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The outback: one place that needs a Hummer

By TIMES WIRES
Published October 27, 2006

General Motors Corp. said it will begin Hummer sales in Australia next year as it adds international markets for its fastest-growing brand. The Hummer H3 midsize sport-utility vehicle will start arriving at Australian dealers in mid 2007. Australia will be Hummer's 39th market. The H3s will be built in the company's factory in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. "It's a very natural fit in Australia," Stefan Weinmann of GM said. "There are a lot of off-road environments in Australia and the Hummer is built for that."

It's Starbucks vs. an African nation

The Ethiopian government, Starbucks Corp. and a coffee industry association are embroiled in a spat over whether the coffee names Yirgacheffe, Sidamo and Harar belong to the African nation, or can be used by anyone without restrictions. Ethiopia wants Starbucks to sign a voluntary licensing agreement saying the country owns the rights to the coffee names. Starbucks said it wants instead to work with the country to establish a geographic certification for the coffee bean names, much like is done with Washington apples or Kona coffee. A coffee trade group of which Starbucks is a member, the National Coffee Association of U.S.A., has filed protests arguing the names are generic.

Let this service search the mall

Headed to the mall to look for Jordan court shoes in size 12? Or what about a black cocktail dress for the holidays? One way of avoiding the usual headaches of running around to see whether merchandise is in stock is coming from a new shopping search service that lets people use the Web, cell phones, or mall kiosks to check for items and reserve them first. The free service by NearbyNow Inc., available at two malls in San Jose, Calif., plans to expand to shopping centers in 20 metropolitan cities nationwide within nine months.

Want a bra? Try ... Lands' End

Lands' End Inc., known for its rugged outwear and tailored clothing, has recently expanded into an area not exactly in sync with its image: lacy bras and camisoles. The lingerie debut is one of several holiday launches from the catalog retailer, marking its biggest expansion in several years. Starting in November, the catalog retailer will be launching Lands' End Baby and making a big push into cashmere sweaters. "It's less our push and more the customers' pull," says David McCreight, who became president of Lands' End in August 2005.

[Last modified October 27, 2006, 05:52:12]