Ventura County

Coach and Aéropostale debut at Pacific Vew shopping mall

VENTURA — Coach, a luxury handbag and accessories store, along with Aéropostale, which sells casual apparel, opened at the Pacific View mall Friday.

The two stores should have a "tremendously positive impact," on the mall, said Alice Love, senior marketing manager for Pacific View. They will enhance the mall's lineup that has grown with several new stores in the past year, including Hollister Co., Forever 21, American Eagle Outfitter, Brooks Shoes for Kids and The Body Shop, Love said.

Southern California

Grocery store and union discussions proceeding

"Extremely quiet" is how a grocer spokeswoman described meetings this week between Southern California's three major grocers and United Food and Commercial Workers union.

Negotiations have been on since Monday, when talks resumed after the July 4 holiday — clearly a good sign, said Adena Tessler, spokeswoman for Kroger Co.'s Ralphs, Safeway Inc.'s Vons and Pavilions, and Supervalu Inc.'s Albertsons.

There's been slow progress that has been made on wages, and so far funding for healthcare has not been discussed, said Mike Shimpock, spokesman for Southern California grocery workers.

Talks to get a new contract have been going well, and neither side has given a 72-hour notice to cancel the current contract, said George Hartwell, president of UFCW Local 1036 in Camarillo.

Massachusetts

Intel bolsters efforts for cheap laptops for developing world

BOSTON — As Nicholas Negroponte stormed the developing world trying to drum up buyers for the innovative $175 computers designed by his One Laptop Per Child education nonprofit, he saw an obstacle: competition from Intel Corp.

But in recent weeks, Negroponte and Intel Chief Executive officer Paul Otellini began talks, culminating in a face-to-face meeting Thursday at Intel headquarters in Santa Clara. And on Friday, the two sides said they had joined forces: Intel will join One Laptop Per Child's board and contribute money and expertise to the project.

California

New technology to help HP become makeup adviser

PALO ALTO — Hewlett-Packard Co., the world's largest PC maker, is focusing on an unlikely field: cosmetics.

The Palo Alto, Calif.-company's research lab has developed a color-matching technology that allows people to snap pictures with cell phones and send them to a server database that can analyze the colors and recommend matching products. The first application will be to help women find the right foundation and makeup for their complexion and skin type.