Content about Delhaize Group

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The parent company of the Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie supermarket chains will buy three chains from Belgium-based Delhaize Group.

Bi-Lo Holdings said it would acquire the Sweetbay, Harveys and Reid's chains from Delhaize for $265 million. The deal includes 72 Sweetbay stores, leases for 10 prior Sweetbay locations, 72 Harveys stores and 11 Reid's stores, for a total of 165 stores and 10,000 employees throughout the Southeast. Bi-Lo Holdings already operates 686 stores, 482 of which have pharmacies, throughout the southeast.

BRUSSELS, Belgium — Belgian international food retailer Delhaize Group, whose U.S. banners include Hannaford, Sweetbay and Food Lion, has announced that president and CEO Pierre-Olivier Beckers intends to retire from his executive role by the end of this year.
 
As part of Delhaize’s succession plan, Beckers will stay in his post until a new CEO is appointed and a smooth transition has taken place, the company stated. He will continue to serve on the board, in a nonexecutive capacity, after stepping down as CEO.

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. — 99¢ Only Stores last week announced that Richard Anicetti has assumed the role of interim CEO. In addition, Michael Fung will join the company as interim chief administrative officer overseeing finance, information technology, real estate and various administrative functions of the company. 

In connection with the foregoing changes, the original family management team Eric Schiffer, Jeff Gold and Howard Gold are no longer employed by the company. 

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores last week named Tammy DeBoer as SVP food. DeBoer will report to Paul White, EVP and chief merchandising officer.

"Providing customers with a compelling food assortment is key to driving trips and an important initiative for Family Dollar,” White said. “Tammy’s proven track record in the food industry and her strategic leadership will help drive further enhancements to our assortment and help us increase customer loyalty as we work to continue to expand our market share.”

BRUSSELS — Delhaize's U.S. division has a new leader.

The supermarket conglomerate announced that Roland Smith will serve as Delhaize America's president and CEO, as well as EVP of the Delhaize Group, effective Oct. 15. Smith is replacing Ronald Hodge, who will be retiring from his post this year. Hodge will serve in an advisory role to ensure a smooth transition.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Delhaize America, the U.S. division of Delhaize Group, reported a decline in its underlying profit declined due to a decrease in gross margin resulting from price investments, as well as the impact of closed stores, as part of the company's portfolio optimization.

Revenues for the first quarter slid 1.2% to $4.6 billion, the company said, noting that when excluding the impact from the 126 stores the company closed in February, total U.S. revenues instead increased 0.7%. Comparable-store sales evolution declined 0.6%, the company said.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Bottom Dollar Food announced grand opening dates for its first 14 stores in the greater Pittsburgh and Youngstown, Ohio, markets, with its first seven stores opening on Jan. 26. Seven additional stores will open on Feb. 9.

SALISBURY, N.C. — The U.S. division of Delhaize Group is looking to strengthen its position in the market by retiring one of its supermarket banners and closing several underperforming stores.

Delhaize America announced that it will retire its Bloom banner, which operates stores in Virginia and Maryland. Additionally, Delhaize America will close 126 underperforming stores, including 113 stores under the Food Lion banner, seven stores under the Bloom banner and six under the Bottom Dollar Food banner.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Network growth and higher retail inflation prompted growth in both revenue and comparable-store sales for Delhaize America, the U.S. division of Delhaize Group, for the third quarter ended Sept. 30.

Revenue realized a gain of 3.5% to $4.9 billion, compared with the year-ago period, while comparable-store sales jumped 1.9%. Delhaize, however, acknowledged that due to the economic environment and the decrease of consumer confidence, particularly in the southeastern United States, volume trends were down from the previous quarter.

SALISBURY, N.C. — New stores, higher retail inflation and positive calendar impact drove sales up for Delhaize America, the U.S. sector of the Delhaize Group, during the second quarter ended June 30.

The division, which operates such banners as Food Lion, Hannaford and Bottom Dollar Food, reported that revenues rose 4.3% to $4.9 billion, while comparable-store sales increased 1.6%. Operating profit, however, dropped 2.7% to $205 million.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Discount grocery chain Bottom Dollar Food announced plans to enter the greater Pittsburgh and Youngstown, Ohio, markets.

The expansion includes 14 stores that will open in 2012 and is said to create more than 600 jobs.

DULUTH, Ga. — Delhaize America banners are getting the kiosk treatment.

NCR is adding more than 800 Blockbuster Express kiosks to Delhaize America supermarkets, including Food Lion, Bottom Dollar Food, Harveys and Reid's across 11 states.

Blockbuster Express kiosks will be located either inside or outside the stores and provide easy access to a wide selection of popular movies, starting at a promotional price of $1 per night per rental, NCR said.