Acting as a responsible citizen towards the environment and the community within the local markets of operation. The group also operates to a high standard of ethical business practices and transparent communications with its shareholders.
Limit impact on Environment
As a retailer, Delhaize Group’s key areas of impact on the environment are energy and waste. Delhaize Group’s operating companies take an innovative approach towards energy use. Food Lion now has 400 stores labeled Energy Star stores, half of the total number of Energy Star stores in the U.S. Food Lion alone realized more than 80 million kilowatt hours in energy savings in 2005. Hannaford implemented a series of energy reduction measures and became an Energy Star partner as well. Delhaize Belgium achieved its target of keeping its energy use at the level of 2003, in spite of square footage growth. The European operating companies developed a common energy reduction strategy.
Delhaize Group’s operations continued to focus on waste avoidance, collection and recycling. Delhaize Belgium introduced biodegradable packaging in its deli department. Under its cardboard recycling program, Food Lion collected more than 138,000 tons of cardboard. In Greece, Alfa-Beta continued the installation of its Recycling Centers. Delvita cooperated in the waste recycling campaign of environmental government agency Ekokom. Through an innovative business partnership, used plastic pails and pill bottles from Hannaford are recycled to produce decking boards.
Care for People
Delhaize Group's concern for people goes beyond customers and associates. Its operating companies actively support the local communities in which they operate.
Early in 2005, Delhaize Group and its operations responded promptly to the devastating tsunami in Southeast Asia, contributing EUR 1.3 million through donations of approximately EUR 200,000 and another EUR 1.1 million collected from its customers. A similar reaction took place in our U.S. operations after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast areas in the Southeastern U.S.
Throughout the year, Delhaize Group, its associates and customers donated more than EUR 50 million in cash and food products to a wide range of charitable organizations. The main focus of Delhaize Group’s charity efforts are: poverty, healthcare and education.
Governance and Transparency
Delhaize Group is committed to high standards in corporate governance. During 2005, the Company published its Corporate Governance Charter, which is available from this website. It also continued its communication efforts with the financial markets through press releases, publications, website and meetings. On the days its quarterly results are released, the Company hosts public conference calls with further explanations of the results. In December 2006, Delhaize Group hosted an analyst field trip in the U.S., updating over 50 analysts and investors on its strategy in the different regions. The Investor Day presentations and the quarterly conference calls are webcast live through the Company website.