Trading Partners

NORTHFIELD, Ill. - Kraft Foods and FS Acquisition Corp., a subsidiary of Catterton Partners, announced today an agreement for FS Acquisition to acquire the U.S.-based Farley and Sathers confectionery businesses from Kraft.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. told Reuters news service on Friday that it is well-prepared to battle Kroger Co. and other grocery chains on food prices, but it will pinch profit margins.

PITTSBURGH - The H. J. Heinz Company on Wednesday announced that Arthur Winkleblack will become executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Jan. 7, 2002.

BRUSSELS - A senior U.S. official told the European Union on Wednesday that it is "urgent" to end the EU's three-year-old ban on approvals of new genetically modified crops, Reuters reported.

NEW YORK - A price war among U.S. supermarkets could be on the horizon after industry leader Kroger Co. recently signaled it is modeling its business on Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Reuters reports.

DALLAS - Fleming on Monday announced Ron Griffin will join the company as executive vice president and chief information officer.

MANILA - The Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc. (CCBPI), a joint venture between beer giant San Miguel Corp. and The Coca-Cola Co., said today it was eyeing deals with Swiss food firm Nestle S.A. and Walt Disney to expand its non-carbonated drinks line, Reuters reports.

NEW YORK - Dutch supermarkets group Koninklijke Ahold NV was given approval from the Federal Trade Commission on Friday to buy Bruno's Supermarkets Inc., but the company was told it must close two of its own regional groceries stores in two Georgia towns, Reuters reports.