Consumer

McDonald's to Boost Asian Spending Next Year, `Capitalizing' on Recession McDonald’s Corp., the world’s largest restaurant company, will increase investment in Asia next year to boost customer numbers as the recession forces people to cut living expenses.

Woolworths Is in Talks to Sell Stores, Reportedly to Hilco; Shares Tumble Woolworths Group Plc, a century-old U.K. retailer whose shares have lost 90 percent of their value in two years, started talks to sell its stores as the Times said a turnaround specialist may acquire them for almost nothing.

PartyGaming Sales Stagnate as Dollar Gains, Web Poker Players Go Elsewhere PartyGaming Plc, the owner of the PartyPoker online-gaming brand, reported stagnant third-quarter sales after the dollar strengthened and competitors that still take bets from the U.S. lured poker players away.

Marks & Spencer Drops For Eighth Straight Day on Reports of One-Day Sale Marks & Spencer Group Plc, the U.K.’s largest clothing retailer, fell for an eighth straight day in London trading as reports that the company plans a one-day sale added to concern over business in the lead-up to Christmas.

New York, Paris Hotels Will Be Pledged by Pakistan Airline to Raise Cash Pakistan International Airlines Corp., on course for a fourth straight annual loss, plans to raise 30 billion rupees ($379 million) by pledging two hotels as it struggles to raise funds amid the credit crunch.

U.S. Consumer Prices Probably Declined Most in Six Decades on Drop in Fuel The cost of living in the U.S. probably slid in October by the most in almost six decades as fuel costs plummeted and retailers discounted merchandise to entice shell-shocked customers, economists said before a government report today.

MGM Mirage's New Chief Jim Murren `Cut Teeth' on Wall Street as Analyst MGM Mirage, the casino company majority-owned by billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, named former Wall Street analyst Jim Murren to replace Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Terry Lanni.

Wynn Is in `Complete Disagreement' With Sands on Macau Casino Developments Wynn Resorts Ltd. Chairman Steve Wynn said he’s in “complete disagreement” with a Las Vegas Sands Corp. senior executive who said government decisions may have hurt the development of Macau casinos.

Coffee Beans From Rwanda Draw Clinton and Java `Rock Stars,' Boost Economy As Christy Thorns, the coffee buyer for Allegro Coffee Co., which supplies Whole Foods Market Inc., sniffed, slurped and spit her way through 24 Rwandan coffees on her evaluating table, she discovered a taste she wasn't used to from that country.