Trading Partners

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. -- Marketing services company SPAR Group, Inc. here has received approval from the Chinese government to start a company aimed at providing its services to retailers in China.

NEW YORK and DANBURY, Conn. -- Progressive Grocer and Kenosia Corporation said yesterday they will jointly sponsor the 10th Annual 2005 Category Captains awards program. Recognizing industry leaders in category management, the awards program honors companies whose innovation and commitment to this critical business practice set the pace for other suppliers of the supermarket industry.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ruddick Corporation, owner of the Harris-Teeter supermarket chain here, said yesterday its sewing thread subsidiary, American & Efird, Inc., has agreed to buy Robison-Anton Textile Co., a $24 million embroidery thread and yarn manufacturer. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Whole Foods Market said Friday it plans to open a 75,000-square-foot flagship store on central London's Kensington High Street in early 2007. It'll be the super-natural chain's first store outside of North America.

CHICAGO -- IGA said late last week that it appointed James J. Walz senior director of branding and business development. Walz, who began his appointment immediately, reports directly to Doug Fritsch, IGA's v.p., U.S. chief growth officer.

NEWARK, Del. -- Citing growing member concerns regarding transportation challenges, the Produce Marketing Association has established a transportation task force that will examine, and when possible, propose solutions for critical produce industry transportation issues.

WASHINGTON -- A group of doctors that has sued several dairy product manufacturers, claiming their weight loss claims are untrue, said this week that it has dropped Kraft Foods from the suit.

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- As fall approaches and families get back to hectic school schedules, the frozen and refrigerated foods industry will offer convenient solutions to fuel busy school days. The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) here and its partnering manufacturers will promote October "Fuel for School" Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Festival with a sweepstakes and retail merchandising contest to build excitement with consumers.