Research & Analysis

SYDNEY - Australia-based Foodland Associated Ltd. said today it has completed its acquisition of Woolworths New Zealand.

PITTSBURGH - Specialty food retailer Trader Joe's is reportedly eyeing the Pittsburgh market as it continues its growth plans on the East Coast, the Pittsburgh Business Times reports.

VEVEY, Switzerland - Nestle SA announced today it is merging its U.S. ice cream business into Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream Inc. in exchange for $2.4 billion in stock, The Associated Press reports.

BOULDER, Colo. - Natural and organic foods retailer Wild Oats Markets Inc. announced it has signed a distribution contract with Tree of Life Inc., a global natural products distributor, as its primary national distribution partner for organic, natural and specialty food products.

LONDON - UK retailer Tesco has introduced life assurance policies in 10 of its stores in Ireland as it expands in the personal finance market, the Irish Independent reports.

LONDON - The UK's Tesco said its sales rose by 11 percent in the three months to mid-May, with strong growth in the UK and abroad, the BBC reports.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Penn Traffic Co. on Wednesday reported higher net earnings in the first quarter, due in part to slightly stronger same-store sales, improved profit margins, cost-cutting measures, and a decrease in interest expense.

WASHINGTON - Nearly half of respondents (49 percent) to a new survey by the Grocery Manufacturers of America said a familiar brand name was the first or second most important element when making a purchase in the supermarket.