A YORK-BASED specialist research company has been acquired by a New York-based global provider of information and advisory services.

Counter Intelligence Retail (CiR), a travel retail market research and data analysis agency, will become part of the NPD Group when the deal is completed early next month.

Legal advice to CiR and its managing director, Garry Stasiulevicuis, was provided by a team from the York office of Andrew Jackson Solicitors comprising corporate partner Philip Ashworth, Helen Mellors, Grace Howell and Fiona Phillips. Its financial advice was from Michelle Thirsk of CGA Accountancy of York.

Mr Stasiulevicuis said: “By joining the NPD family of companies, we will have access to a new level of point-of-sale-data tracking expertise and a new platform for improved advisory services, something we’re excited about bringing to travel retail to enhance our existing offer.”

Mr Ashworth said: “It’s a delight to have watched Garry’s business flourish over the years and for its success to be recognised by a major international operator in this way.”