TNS on Acquisition Path 9/6/00 Taylor Nelson Sofres has entered into a joint venture agreement with Information Resources to purchase Radar Retail Research and Research Deliveries (Radar), one of the UK's foremost test marketing businesses. Established in 1981, Radar conducts in-store product performance testing services in key fmcg retailers. Its clients include many of the major fmcg manufacturers and retailers. Taylor Nelson Sofres is purchasing 60% of Radar and will have management control, with Information Resources acquiring the remaining 40% stake. John Burke, Senior Partner of Radar, will continue to manage the company, which had a turnover in the year to 30 June 1999 of £1.1 million and net assets at that date of under £0.1 million. According to Mike Penford, MD, TNS Consumer Panels, "The experience of Radar in the market testing environment, coupled with the skills and resources of both TNS and IRI, create an excellent platform for further development." Mark Tims, UK Managing Director at Information Resources, adds: "We are very pleased, as this venture complements our recent move to invest in census and store-level sales data. It also enables us to expand our analytics and modelling capabilities. This will broaden the insight we can provide to our clients, bringing about efficient and effective change to their sales and marketing activities."