Research & Analysis

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota-based agribusiness giant Cargill Inc. on Friday announced a $385 million bid to an offer that would top the $363.5 million bid by Smithfield Foods Inc.

MILAN, Ill. - The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago last week confirmed the sale of 19 Eagle stores for an undisclosed sum, according to local press reports.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. plans to open one of its doughnut-making retail stores within a Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Supercenter in Mount Airy, N.C., as part of a test, a Krispy Kreme spokeswoman said.

WASHINGTON - A report by the General Accounting Office released this week suggests that the USDA's estimates of the cost of mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) are "questionable and not well supported."

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Tops Markets has eliminated about 119 sales and marketing jobs, the Buffalo News reports. The reductions were announced early this year, but the bulk of the cuts are being completed this week, the company said Thursday.

WATERLOO, Ont. -- RDM Corp.'s investee company, Xign Corporation, announced Wednesday that New England-based Shaw's Supermarkets has chosen the Xign Payment Services Network to automate its paper-based accounts payable processes.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Whole Foods Market today announced the addition of Gabrielle Greene and Mo Siegel to the company's board of directors, increasing the board's size to eight members.

PONTE VEDRA, Fla. -- Global Axcess Corp., a fully integrated, one-stop source for ATM solutions, announced Wednesday that the company's wholly owned subsidiary, Nationwide Money Services, has won a four and one-half year extension on its exclusive contract with Food Lion.