Content about Food Lion

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.

BRUSSELS — The Delhaize Group shakeup continues as news circulates that its Sweetbay Supermarket division will shutter 33 underperforming stores in Florida by mid-February, according to a report on Tampa Bay Online.

The closures, which are part of a broader reorganization plan, will results in the loss of about 2,000 jobs in Florida and changes for its pharmacy customers. Following the closures, Sweetbay will operate 72 locations.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion customers can support their favorite schools when they participate in the MVP Classroom Rewards program.

When customers shop with their MVP cards, a portion of their grocery bills spent only on qualified store-brand products is automatically credited to the shoppers' local school of choice. Donations up to $2,500 will be distributed three times per year to schools in January, May and September.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion has implemented its new brand strategy in the retailer's North Carolina and South Carolina stores.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Food Lion announced that its associates and customers raised more than $4 million to benefit Easter Seals during the retailer's annual Shop & Care campaign.

The four-week program, which was initiated 21 years ago, aims to provide funds for the nonprofit provider of services for individuals living with autism, developmental, physical and mental disabilities and other special needs. This year, through the campaign, Food Lion said it raised $4.5 million, a 22% increase in funds over last year.

SALISBURY, N.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded Food Lion, Harveys and Reid's with its eleventh consecutive Energy Star award.

The Energy Star program, which is in its 20th year, recognizes businesses that implement energy-efficient products, services and buildings in commercial, industrial and public sectors.

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. — Food Lion family of banners, Bloom and Bottom Dollar Food announced the launch of its ninth annual Hunger Has a Cure, a campaign that supports local food banks affiliated with hunger relief charity Feeding America.

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. — Food Lion unveiled on Wednesday six new stores in the Greenville, S.C., area market.

The stores, located in Anderson, Greenville, Greer, Seneca and Simpsonville, replace former Bloom locations. As part of the transition to Food Lion stores, the newly opened supermarkets will carry a variety of natural and organic products, as well as fresh seafood, produce and other specialty items, Food Lion SVP James Egan said.

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.