Business Briefs

Halekulani among best places to propose

The only Hawaii hotel named to the Luxury Travel Magazine list of best places to propose is Waikiki’s Hale­ku­lani.

The magazine describes Hale­ku­lani as a "luxurious beachfront hotel … truly an oasis of modern elegance, tranquility and exclusivity … known for high service standards and unmatched experiences." It was listed among the first 10 of a total of 24 hotels and resorts around the world, and was among only eight U.S. properties listed.

Jos. A. Bank to acquire Eddie Bauer parent

Jos. A. Bank Clothiers said Friday that it had agreed to buy the parent company of Eddie Bauer in a deal valued at $825 million, including cash and debt.

It also will buy back up to $300 million of its own stock if the deal goes through, paying $65 a share in what it said was a way to return capital to shareholders.

Friday’s transaction appears to be an effort by Jos. A. Bank to blunt a $1.6 billion hostile takeover bid by Men’s Wearhouse. Yet the company left itself an opening to pursue alternative transactions — potentially including a higher takeover bid. The deal is the latest twist in Jos. A. Bank’s protracted takeover battle with Men’s Wearhouse, one that began last fall when it tried and failed to buy its bigger rival for $2.3 billion. Men’s Wearhouse then turned the tables, pursuing its onetime suitor.

Comcast-Time Warner merger panned

LOS ANGELES » Cable subscribers don’t give Comcast and Time Warner Cable good grades when it comes to customer satisfaction. So after Comcast announced its $45 billion purchase of Time Warner Cable on Thursday, it didn’t take long for consumers to start venting their frustrations over high prices, spotty service and fears of a monopoly.

The pairing of the nation’s two biggest cable companies spurred a cascade of sarcastic tweets and satirical jokes in which people likened the new entity to the killer Death Star battle station from "Star Wars" and the evil Eye of Sauron from "The Lord of the Rings." Some people recalled a "South Park" snippet in which character Eric Cartman and friends are tormented by cable employees before a logo curiously similar to Time Warner Cable’s own.

The jokes reflect a more serious sentiment among consumers.

Campbell gets a boost from broth sales

NEW YORK » When people take an interest in cooking, broth sales apparently get a bump.

Campbell Soup has been struggling to boost sluggish sales of its famous condensed and ready-to-eat canned soups. But there is a bright spot in its U.S. soup division: broth.

The company Friday reported a higher quarterly profit as U.S. soup sales rose 5 percent. The bump was largely a quirk of the calendar, however; Thanksgiving fell later in the year, meaning the higher shipments associated with the holidays were pushed back to its fiscal second quarter.

In fact, Campbell said consumer purchases for its soup division were actually down 1 percent in the period. People bought more of its Swanson broth, but that was offset by declines in purchases of its condensed and ready-to-eat soups.

In a call with analysts, Campbell Chief Executive Officer Denise Morrison noted that the growth in broths is being driven by "an increase in homemade soup behavior" and people cooking more with broth in general.

Utah could put Breathalyzers in bars

SALT LAKE CITY » Bar-goers weighing whether they’re sober enough to take the wheel could soon have a tool to help make that decision.

Breathalyzers and similar devices could pop up in more bars across Utah under a coming proposal from Draper Republican Rep. Greg Hughes. The measure is still incubating, but it aims to cut down on drunken driving in Utah.

Setting up the machines alongside pool tables and jukeboxes would especially help younger drinkers who are still learning their limits, Hughes said.

Hughes previously said he was considering whether to require devices in each bar, or just those with infractions, such as serving underage drinkers. He also is considering whether to make it an incentive rather than a mandate. But the forthcoming proposal won’t hold bars responsible for customers who fail a breath test but decide to drive anyway, he said Friday. To date, nightspots that have such meters generally affix them to walls, and patrons often wander over for a laugh. The readings cost about $2 and can usually be paid by credit card.

Kelley Blue Book names top 12 family cars

It’s not all about minivans, according to the Kelley Blue Book best cars for families for 2014. Of all the automakers’ products on the market, the KBB editors chose four from Honda, three from Nissan, two from Chevrolet and one each from Ford, Subaru and Toyota for its list, released Friday.

The Honda Accord, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot; Nissan Altima, Pathfinder and Rogue; Chevrolet Impala and Traverse; Ford Flex; Subaru Forester; and Toyota Sienna all were chosen for the list after research involving families.

KBB editors started with 21 vehicles from 11 makers and enlisted families to help test them.

ON THE MOVE

Hawaiian Eye Center has announced the following new hires: Michael Chrest, certified ophthalmic technician; Sarah Nelson, surgical coordinator; and Susan Gregory, certified ophthalmic assistant.

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa has announced its "Transient Sales Managers of the Year" for a large-hotel category by Hyatt Americas: Associate Sales Director Sebang Oh has been with Hyatt for 20 years and has been a member of the sales team for 15 years. Sales Manager Mike Fujii has been with Hyatt for 22 years and spent 13 years in sales. Sales Manager Kaname Azuma has been with Hyatt for 15 years and been a sales team member for 12 years.

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