The acquisition by Smyths Toys of the 93 Toys R Us stores and online operations in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland propels the Irish-based retailer into the largest of its type in Europe, with the deal adding significant financial clout and likely to be only the start of a further growth spurt, the company has signalled.

Fruit distributor Fyffes has diversified its product offering with the €98m acquisition of Highline Produce, the largest mushroom producer in Canada.

Glanbia has said it has “significant” available debt facilities for further acquisitions, after reaching agreement to buy a leading US protein bar manufacturer for $217 million (€203m).

Kerry Group has boosted its core ingredients and flavours business and upped its presence in the growing nutritional solutions market, via the purchase of three US businesses for a combined $735m (€645m).

The Shannon-based engineer Mincon Group that provides rock drilling goods yesterday said the downturn of the mining industry amid the world commodities price slump had hit profits and that the outlook “remains challenging”.

Kerry Group is set to spend over €500m on acquisitions this year, with chief executive Stan McCarthy saying the group is very busy in the takeover market.

Irish-based mobile top-up company Ding has acquired US-based iSend to become the largest provider of International Mobile Top-up globally.