Hospitality

MINNEAPOLIS — Target announced that it will retain the naming rights for the Target Center, which is home to the Minnesota Timberwolves, through a three-year extended agreement with AEG Facilities, which manages the stadium, and the Timberwolves. Under the new agreement, Target will have naming rights for the stadium through 2014. 

The beautiful people were out in force Saturday night in Southern California to party and support the fundraising efforts of the Motion Picture and Television Fund. The organization hosts an annual “Evening Before” event that precedes the Emmy Awards, which were held Sunday night and is modeled after the “Night Before” fundraiser, which precedes the Academy Awards.

NEW YORK — Consumers are spending more, but doing so in fewer transactions, according to American Express Business Insights’ most recent Business Insights Spend Sights report.

The study, which examines spending patterns across several key categories, U.S. cities and demographic groups, finds that while economic uncertainty continues to dampen overall consumer confidence, a new pattern of less frequent but measurable splurging has become evident among a range of customer groups in several categories.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club has tapped eight all-star executive chefs to provide customers with restaurant-quality mealtime solutions.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Motorola Solutions announced that it has introduced its first waterproof Talkabout branded two-way radios. The MS350R series of two-way radios are designed for use during storm season, as well as for hunters and serious outdoor enthusiasts. 

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot has announced the two small business finalists in its annual “Official Small Business of NASCAR, Courtesy of Office Depot” sweepstakes.

America is on sale for foreign tourists thanks to the weak U.S. dollar, and it has been a boon for retailers who operate stores in key destinations. Nowhere was this phenomenon more evident than last week when Tiffany & Co. reported spectacular second quarter results that were aided by a 41% sales increase at its flagship New York store. That location is frequented by tourists, and so is the Saks flagship New York location, which reported a second quarter comp increase in the neighborhood of 15%.

RIDGELAND, Miss. — Viking Culinary Group announced that it has introduced a new line of branded outdoor grills from celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse.

Products in the Emeril grill line include: