WORLD

WORLD
Atari counts on 'Matrix'to boost revenue
PARIS -- Atari Inc. reported sales of more than 1 million copies of "Enter the Matrix" one week after the computer and video game hit shelves in the United States and Europe. The heavily indebted company, a subsidiary of Infogrames Entertainment SA of France, is counting on blockbuster games such as "Enter the Matrix" to revive its fortunes.
The game was released May 15, the same day as the movie it is tied to, "The Matrix Reloaded." The company said it expected to sell 4 million units of the game for a total of $160 million in revenue. Infogrames had total sales of $770 million for the year ended in June and does about 65 percent of its sales in the United States.
NATION
May Department Storesteams up with Hearst
ST. LOUIS -- May Department Stores Co. and Hearst Magazines have announced plans to jointly market home merchandise under the House Beautiful name.
The House Beautiful merchandise, with products ranging from home decor to textiles to dinnerware, will be offered beginning in 2005 in May's 362 department stores, including Kaufmann's, Filene's, Foley's and Hecht's. Locally, May has Kaufmann's stores in Niles, Boardman and Hermitage, Pa.
House Beautiful, a monthly consumer magazine published by Hearst, is 107 years old. May Department Stores said that the alliance helps the companies in their efforts to attract a broader target audience.
From Dow Jones/Associated Press reports