Delhaize Group’s Alfa-Beta Closes Plus Hellas Acquisition

SOURCE:

Delhaize Group

2008-04-01 09:10:00

Delhaize Group’s Alfa-Beta Closes Plus Hellas Acquisition

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM–( EMWNews – April 1, 2008) – Delhaize Group (Euronext Brussels:

DELB) (NYSE: DEG), the Belgian international food retailer, announced

today that it has completed the earlier announced acquisition of the

Greek retailer Plus Hellas through its subsidiary Alfa-Beta

Vassilopoulos. The 34 Plus Hellas stores and a new distribution

center will reinforce the position of Alfa-Beta in Greece,

particularly in Northern Greece where it had a limited presence.

“We look forward to serving our new customers of Plus Hellas and

welcome its employees in the Alfa-Beta family,” commented Kostas

Macheras, Chief Executive Officer of Alfa-Beta. The Plus Hellas

network consists of 34 new stores (average selling area of 795 m2)

and a modern distribution center (36,000 m2), including real estate

ownership of 11 stores and the distribution center.

Alfa-Beta has acquired Plus Hellas for an amount of EUR 69.5 million,

subject to contractual adjustments. The results of Plus Hellas will

be consolidated in Delhaize Group’s results from April 1, 2008.

Delhaize Group will convert the Plus Hellas stores to Alfa-Beta

banners.

Alfa-Beta is the second largest food retailer in Greece. At the end

of December 2007, Alfa-Beta’s network consisted of 159 stores under

the banners Alfa-Beta, AB City Market, ENA cash & carry, AB

Foodmarket and AB Shop n’ Go. In 2007, Alfa-Beta realized EUR 1.2

billion revenues, EUR 37.0 million net profit and it employed 7,545

people.

Delhaize Group

Delhaize Group is a Belgian food retailer present in seven countries

on three continents. At the end of 2007, Delhaize Group’s sales

network consisted of 2,545 stores. In 2007, Delhaize Group posted EUR

19.0 billion (USD 26.0 billion) in revenues and EUR 410.1 million

(USD 562.1 million) in net profit (Group share). At the end of 2007,

Delhaize Group employed approximately 138,000 people. Delhaize Group

is listed on Euronext Brussels (DELB) and the New York Stock Exchange

(DEG).

This press release is available in English, French and Dutch. You can

also find it on the web site http://www.delhaizegroup.com. Questions

can be sent to [email protected].

CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements that are included or incorporated by reference in this

press release and other written and oral statements made from time to

time by Delhaize Group and its representatives, other than statements

of historical fact, which address activities, events and developments

that Delhaize Group expects or anticipates will or may occur in the

future, including, without limitation, statements about strategic

options, future strategies and the anticipated benefits of these

strategies, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of

the U.S. federal securities laws that are subject to risks and

uncertainties. These forward-looking statements generally can be

identified as statements that include phrases such as “guidance”,

“outlook”, “projected”, “believe”, “target”, “predict”, “estimate”,

“forecast”, “strategy”, “may”, “goal”, “expect”, “anticipate”,

“intend”, “plan”, “foresee”, “likely”, “will”, “should” or other

similar words or phrases. Although such statements are based on

current information, actual outcomes and results may differ

materially from those projected depending upon a variety of factors,

including, but not limited to, changes in the general economy or the

markets of Delhaize Group, in consumer spending, in inflation or

currency exchange rates or in legislation or regulation; competitive

factors; adverse determination with respect to claims; inability to

timely develop, remodel, integrate or convert stores; and supply or

quality control problems with vendors. Additional risks and

uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially

from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements are

described in Delhaize Group’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year

ended December 31, 2006 and other periodic filings made by Delhaize

Group with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which risk

factors are incorporated herein by reference. Delhaize Group

disclaims any obligation to update developments of these risk factors

or to announce publicly any revision to any of the forward-looking

statements contained in this release, or to make corrections to

reflect future events or developments.

Copyright © Hugin AS 2008. All rights reserved.

CONTACTS:

Guy Elewaut:
+ 32 2 412 29 48
Geert Verellen:
+ 32 2 412 83 62
Aurélie Bultynck:
+ 32 2 412 83 61
Amy Shue (U.S. investors):
+ 1 704 633 82 50 (ext. 2529)
Theodossia Abramidou (Greek investors):
+ 30 210 661 39 67

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