HARRISBURG, Pa. - Hershey Foods executives said Friday the company has new sugar-free products on the way and is exploring expanding beyond its traditional candy, gum and mint businesses into snacks.

The executives, including President and Chief Executive Officer Richard H. Lenny, would not reveal much about what the company is planning.

The company did offer some guidance for 2003, including that it expects nearly 1 percent improvement in gross margins, a 2 percent to 3 percent gain in revenue, and earnings-per-share growth close to 11 percent.

Andersen auditor's sentencing delayed

HOUSTON - Former Arthur Andersen LLP auditor David Duncan's sentencing for destroying Enron Corp. documents was postponed to May from January.

At the urging of prosecutors, U.S. District Judge Melinda Harmon, in an order released yesterday, changed the sentencing date to May 16 from Jan. 3.

Prosecutors said in a court filing that they sought to change the sentencing date because Mr. Duncan's "cooperation with the government is not yet completed." Samuel Seymour, Mr. Duncan's lawyer, agreed to postpone the sentencing, according to court documents.

Converse Inc. files $86 million IPO

NEW YORK - Converse Inc., the footwear company known for the canvas sneaker and other sports shoes, is emerging with an initial public offering, within two years after its former owners sold the brand and the assets in a bankruptcy auction.

The new Converse, based in North Andover, Mass., said Friday it plans to raise $86.3 million in an IPO next year.

For Converse, the IPO would be yet another comeback for a company that has been better known for high-profile flops, notably the company's failure to capitalize on the red-hot sneaker market of the 1980s.

Planet Hollywood seeks judge approval

ORLANDO, Fla. - Trying to regain its star power, Planet Hollywood International Inc. is getting a makeover as it emerges from bankruptcy for the second time in more than two years.

The movie-themed restaurant and retail store company, which once counted actors Bruce Willis, Demi Moore and Arnold Schwarzenegger as backers, will be a leaner company, having slimmed down from 22 to 10 restaurants.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Arthur Briskman is expected to confirm the company's reorganization plan during a hearing Monday.

Slow retail pushes AutoZone down

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - AutoZone Inc. shares fell 6.9 percent, making their biggest two-day decline in almost six years, after the largest U.S. auto-parts retailer said sales slowed in stores at least a year old.

The shares fell $5.05 to $68.51 at 4:01 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange trading. AutoZone, which fell 7.7 percent Thursday, dropped 23 percent over two days in January 1997.

Retail same-store sales slowed to 1.9 percent from 8.1 percent a year earlier, analysts said.

- From wire reports