Belgium
Overview
Belgium is the historical home market of Delhaize Group. Over the years, Delhaize Group has built a strong market position (second in terms of sales), providing its customers with quality products and services at competitive prices. At the end of 2006, Delhaize Group's sales network consisted of 843 stores in Belgium, and the Group employed 18,000 people in its Belgian activities.
Banners
Delhaize Group's Belgian sales network consists of several brand names, depending on the specialty, store size and whether the store is directly operated, franchised or affiliated (that is, stores to which Delhaize Group sells wholesale goods and generates income only from sales made to such stores).
Delhaize "Le Lion" Supermarket is the leading banner of Delhaize Group in Belgium. The other supermarket banner, AD Delhaize, is the most important growth vehicle for Delhaize Group in Belgium since a few years. Proxy Delhaize is a convenience store operating mini-markets emphasizing fresh products and Delhaize private label products.
The Shop 'n Go gas station convenience stores are located in gas stations and are a response to customer expectations regarding proximity, convenience, speed and longer operating hours. Delhaize City stores are operated as neighborhood stores selling exclusively private label products.
Caddy-Home is the business-to-consumer operation of Delhaize Group that sells food products for which orders can be placed by telephone, fax and the Internet.
Aside of all its food supermarkets or convenience stores, Delhaize Group completes its offer in Belgium with Tom & Co, active in food and care products and accessories for pets.
Greece
Alfa-Beta is, since the acquisition of Trofo (the sixth largest food retailer in Greece in January 2001), the second largest food retailer in Greece. Alfa-Beta focuses on customers looking for competitive pricing as well as high quality products and services. In 1992, Delhaize Group acquired control of Alfa-Beta Vassilopoulos. It currently owns 61.3% of Alfa-Beta. The Greek operating company of Delhaize Group had 7,200 employees as of December 31, 2006, and was operating 148 stores.
Romania
In May 2000, Delhaize Group acquired an ownership interest in Mega Image, the largest supermarket operator in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. At the end of 2006, Delhaize Group owned 100% of Mega Image, which operated 18 supermarkets and employed 1,100 people.