Geest, the UK prepared foods group, said on Wednesday that it had completed the acquisition of Cinquieme Saison, a French prepared salads business ahead of schedule and would continue its gradual move into continental Europe, the Financial Times reported. Geest bought the French company for £6m ($8.9m) in cash. The announcement came as Geest reported sales growth near 17 per cent in the second half, and said it was taking market share from competitors. According to the Financial Times, Geest, which supplies supermarkets with freshly prepared products, said the UK remains its main market but has targeted Spain, Italy and Germany for future expansion, both organically and through acquisitions.
