BRUSSELS, BELGIUM -- 09/01/08 --
Delhaize Group (Euronext
Brussels: DELB - NYSE: DEG), the Belgian international food
retailer,
announced today that it has completed through its fully-owned
subsidiary Mega Image the earlier announced acquisition of La
Fourmi,
which operates 14 stores in Bucharest, the capital of Romania.
"Thanks to this perfect fill-in acquisition of 14 well-located
stores
in urban areas, Mega Image strengthens its number one position in
the
city of Bucharest. By the end of the year, we expect Mega Image's
network to reach 40 stores. This acquisition will also allow us to
realize important buying synergies," commented Xavier Piesvaux,
General Manager of Mega Image. "We look forward to serving our new
customers of La Fourmi and welcome its employees in the Mega Image
family."
Mega Image has acquired La Fourmi for an amount of EUR 18.6
million,
subject to contractual adjustments. This acquisition includes real
estate ownership of four stores. For 2007, the revenues of the 14
acquired stores amounted to approximately EUR 35 million. Delhaize
Group will convert the La Fourmi stores, which have a selling area
of
350 to 500 square meters, to Mega Image Supermarkets within the
next
six months. The results of La Fourmi will be consolidated in
Delhaize
Group's results from September 1, 2008.
Founded in 1995, Mega Image is one of the largest supermarket
chains
in Romania, with 38 supermarkets (including the 14 newly acquired
stores) in Bucharest, Constanta and Ploiesti. The number of
employees
at the end of 2007 was 1,200 people. Delhaize Group acquired Mega
Image in 2000.
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CONTACTS:
Guy Elewaut: + 32 2 412 2948
Geert Verellen: + 32 2 412 8362
Aurélie Bultynck: + 32 2 412 8361
Barbera Hoppenbrouwers: + 32 2 412 86 69
Amy Shue (U.S. investors): + 1 704 633 82 50 (ext. 2529)
