Radisson hotels get rebranding, face-lift

March 4, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

MIAMI

Radisson hotels are getting a $1.5 billion luxury rebranding and face-lift in the U.S., owner Carlson Hotels Worldwide announced Wednesday, even as the industry struggles with crushing debt and plummeting revenue.

Radisson, forever underperforming in the U.S., will be remade into a more stylish and contemporary brand here, with distinctive architecture and flair, President and CEO Hubert Joly announced at a conference in Kissimmee, Fla. And Carlson will increase its 1,000-hotel portfolio by more than 50 percent, including new luxury Regent hotels, mid-scale Country Inns & Suites and Park Inns.

Severe weather slows economy’s growth

WASHINGTON

The economy has continued its slow growth, but harsh snowstorms crimped activity in some parts of the country last month, according to a Federal Reserve report.

The Fed’s Beige Book survey, released Wednesday, showed that the nation’s recovery is managing to plod ahead though not at a strong enough pace to persuade companies to ramp up hiring. The Fed said “economic conditions continued to expand ... although severe snowstorms in early February held back activity” in some places.

Alzheimer’s drug fails to meet goals

TRENTON, N.J.

A promising Alzheimer’s disease drug Pfizer Inc. and a partner are developing failed to work in a late-stage study, a startling disappointment after the potential blockbuster kept symptoms from worsening for a year in a prior test.

Pfizer and partner Medivation Inc. said Wednesday that the experimental drug, Dimebon, failed to meet its primary and secondary goals — improving thinking ability and overall daily function over six months in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

Medivation and Pfizer, the world’s biggest drugmaker by revenue, are continuing three ongoing studies that could prove Dimebon helps patients.

Starbucks sticks to its gun policy

SEATTLE

Coffee chain Starbucks Corp. is sticking to its policy of letting customers carry guns where it’s legal and said it does not want to be put in the middle of a larger gun-control debate.

The company’s statement, issued Wednesday, stems from recent campaign by some gun owners, who have walked into Starbucks and other businesses to test state laws that allow gun owners to carry weapons openly in public places. Gun control advocates have protested.

Airline to charge for extra legroom

DALLAS

Continental Airlines will begin charging coach customers extra if they want a seat with more legroom.

Prices will vary depending on the length of a flight and popularity of the route. A spokeswoman said extra room on a Houston-New York flight might cost $59. International fliers would pay more than that.

Starting March 17, coach customers will be able to pay the charge at check-in to get an exit-row seat with at least 7 inches more legroom than the other rows.

Associated Press