Why we report

Reporting has been a valuable internal tool for driving and managing the performance of our Group Sustainability Strategy since 2008 with the most recent report being published in 2012. Outside the business it has created a strong platform for engaging stakeholders, enabling them to hold us accountable for our targets and commitments. It’s also one of the ways we live up to our Group values - particularly integrity, determination and humility - and will continue to be so.

About the 2012 Report

This report gives a concise view of performance on our most material issues over the last year. Throughout the report are links to more detailed information. We are interested to hear your thoughts on the report, so if you have any questions or comments, please get in touch by emailing sustainability@delhaizegroup.com

Reporting year

Unless otherwise stated, all data and activities mentioned are for the year 2012. This report will also provide an overview of the last three years of our Group’s journey to sustainability.

Scope

This report covers Delhaize Group, including individual operating companies. Unless otherwise stated, quantitative data refers to Delhaize Group as a whole and excludes operating companies acquired in late 2011 (Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Albania). Information on the detailed data scope and methodology can be found here.

Economic performance

This is covered in detail in our Annual Report.

Report structure and materiality

This report is structured around our 2020 Sustainability Strategy. It covers the most material challenges for our business, which are defined on our Materiality Matrix.

Global Reporting Initiative

We use the GRI G3.1 guidelines as a basis for determining relevant content and metrics. We self-declare compliance with base level C+ requirements of this rigorous system. A GRI-referenced table of indicators can be found here.

Information integrity

Delhaize Group management is responsible for all aspects of this report. With the assurances detailed below, we believe it is a fair and accurate representation of our 2012 Sustainability performance.

Ernst & Young provided limited assurance to a selection of key performance indicators as well as the four spotlights stated in the Sustainable Private Brands chapter. The Ernst & Young assurance statement can be found here.

Documents referred to in this report

Throughout this report you will find clearly highlighted links to additional, detailed information on the areas listed below:

• Our Performance Against Goals
• Our 2012 Data Table and Methodology
• External Assurance Statement
• GRI Cross-Reference Table
• CDP - Carbon Disclosure Project Report
• Sustainable Seafood Brochures
• List of Awards We Won for Achievements in 2012
• Our Banners' Sustainability Web Pages
• Our Banners' Community Programs
• Our Banners’ Food Safety Tips
• Our Partners
• Glossary

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

All statements that are included or incorporated by reference in this Sustainability Progress Report or that are otherwise attributable to Delhaize Group or persons acting on behalf of Delhaize Group, other than statements of historical fact, which address activities, events or developments that Delhaize Group expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, statements regarding expected financial performance; expansion and growth of Delhaize Group’s business; anticipated store openings and renovations; future capital expenditures; projected revenue growth or synergies resulting from acquisitions and other transactions; efforts to control or reduce costs, improve buying practices and control shrink; contingent liabilities; future consumer spending; forecasted currency exchange rates or inflation; expected competition; and business strategy, 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 "believe", "project", "target", "predict", "estimate", "forecast", "strategy", "may", "goal", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "foresee", "likely", "will", "should" or other similar words or phrases. Although Delhaize Group believes such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those projected. Accordingly, all forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations of Delhaize Group include, but are not limited to, those factors described in the annual report 2012 in the chapter entitled "Risk Factors" on page 58 and under Item 3 under Part 1 of Delhaize Group’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 2013. Delhaize Group undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, and disclaims any obligation to do so.

Publisher

Catherine Alexandre

Vice President Internal & Sustainability Communication

Square Marie Curie 40

1070 Brussels

Belgium

Contact

If you have any feedback or questions on this Sustainability Progress Report, please contact us at: sustainability@delhaizegroup.com