The Ferrero Group will buy Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Ferrara Candy Co. from private equity firm L Catterton, the companies announced Wednesday.

As I’ve come to realize over the years, my crystal-balling powers haven’t earned me any plaudits. Hence, it’s one of the reasons I stay away from speculation regarding who’s going to buy whom. But there are always exceptions to the rule.

Ferrero Group had good news for Kinder fans waiting for the iconic European brand to come Stateside.

Ferrero North America, manufacturer of cocoa hazelnut spread Nutella, will open its first restaurant in Chicago later this month.

Eight major candy manufacturers have committed to reducing calories in their individually-wrapped products and updating front-of-pack nutrition labels as part of an ongoing effort to offer consumers greater choice and transparency.

Italy-based Ferrero Group will reorganize its upper management in hopes of growing its position in the chocolate and sweet packaged food markets.

What I find most interesting about these latest deals, however, is that this marks the first time that these two companies will be producing confections on U.S. soil, particularly since both of these involve giants who have production facilities scattered throughout the world.

But a week later, 1-800-Flowers.com, Fannie May’s New York-based parent company, announced it would sell the brand -- along with the Harry London brand, an Ohio manufacturing facility, two warehouses and 79 retail stores -- to Ferrero International for $115 million.

Italian group Ferrero International has announced a multimillion-dollar deal to purchase Fannie May Confections Brands, Inc., from 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc., a leading floral and gourmet gift provider.