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The Federal Trade Commission approved the proposed $2.7-billion acquisition of U.S. supermarket operator Giant Foods Inc. by Royal Ahold after the Dutch food retailer agreed to sell 10 stores in Maryland and Pennsylvania. The deal would make Ahold the fifth-largest supermarket owner in the United States.

Shoney’s Inc. plans to close 50 of its fast-food restaurants and sell 34 others to the owner of the Big Boy chain, Elias Brothers Corp., for an undisclosed price.