Research & Analysis

LONDON - Tesco, the United Kingdom's leading food retailer, is in advanced talks to purchase a 50 percent stake in Ting Hsin International, owner of 25 hypermarkets in China, according to the Financial Times.

SEATTLE - A woman whose family reportedly ate ground beef connected with the only detected case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the United States has filed a class action against a supermarket chain, the Associated Press reports.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The short-term outlook for consumer spending has improved -- if only modestly -- with the approach of spring and the arrival of tax refunds, according to results from the latest online Retail Forward Monthly Shopper Update Survey of 4,000 U.S. primary household shoppers.

SAN FRANCISCO - The following announcements were presented at FMI Marketechnics this week:

ANN ARBOR, Mich. and SAN DIEGO, Calif. - NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit company specializing in public health and safety risk management solutions, has acquired Quality Assurance International, Inc., which offers organic certification services.

MINNEAPOLIS - Retailer and distributor Nash Finch Company late Tuesday announced the resignation of Jerry L. Nelson, its president and chief operating officer. In a press release, Nelson said "the time is right" to do something different, but did not announce his immediate plans.

WASHINGTON - The food and beverage industry is committed to helping reverse the growth of obesity, the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) testified on Tuesday before a Senate hearing on combating obesity in America.

LA QUINTA, Calif. - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. opens its first California supercenter today, bracing local food retailers for heated competition following the longest running supermarket strike.