A leading global provider of information and analytics,Nielsen Holdings N.V., said it acquired thePerishables Group, Inc., a West Dundee, Ill. (Chicago) specialist in fresh food consulting and category development.

Nielsen said it acquired all company assets including data, advanced analytic IP, tools and ongoing client work. All employees of the Chicago based company will join Nielsen’s North America Consumer Analytics team in Schaumburg, Ill.

“Nielsen acquired the Perishables Group to drive increased value for our clients. With Perishables Group now fully part of the Nielsen organization, we can accelerate our work to integrate total-store information, thus providing a holistic picture of store-level activity,” said John Lewis, president and CEO, Consumer North America, Nielsen. “This complete view across all fresh departments - produce, deli, meat, seafood and bakery - provides a distinct advantage for all our clients, including retailers, packaged goods manufacturers and fresh food suppliers.”

Founded in 2000, the Perishables Group has provided custom information for refrigerated and fresh food sectors. Its consulting services include consumer insights, data services, marketing communications and advanced analytics.

“This acquisition is a natural evolution in the long working alliance we have had with Nielsen," said Bruce Axtman, Perishables Group president and CEO. "Our focus remains on enhancing the insights we deliver into the fresh consumer. Our mission is to help retailers and fresh suppliers increase consumer value and improve business performance by helping them apply a consumer-based business model specific to the fresh food business environment.”

Officials said Axtman will continue to lead the group, now known asNielsen Perishables Group, and the integration of the Perishables Group’s analytic capabilities into Nielsen’s offerings.

Nielsen Holdings N.V. s a global information and measurement company with leading market positions in marketing and consumer information, television and other media measurement, online intelligence, mobile measurement, trade shows and related properties. Nielsen has a presence in approximately 100 countries, with headquarters in New York, USA and Diemen, the Netherlands.