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History   

1867
Jules Delhaize, professor of commercial sciences, dreamt of revolutionizing food retailing in Belgium, creating a branch network, charging set prices and cutting down on the succession of intermediaries by opening a warehouse. He was helped in this by his brother Edouard and his brother-in-law Jules Vieujant, also teachers. For their new company, they chose the lion, the symbol of strength, which is the emblem of Belgium, together with its motto: unity is strength.

1871
The company left Charleroi to become established in Brussels.

1883
Aware of the growing importance of rail transport for food distribution, the company transferred its business to the immediate vicinity of the Gare de l'Ouest station with a rail link to it. It moved into a brand new state-of-the-art complex, consisting of a large warehouse, vast cellars, offices and in addition a staff store, a school, a fire brigade. Moreover, in order to produce at the best price, the company set up a series of factories producing foods under its own brand name: chocolate and biscuit factories, a distillery, coffee roasting, etc.

1883-1914
In thirty years the company opened more than 500 branches spread out to the four corners of the country. They all displayed the same corporate identity: the Delhaize "Le Lion" sign, attractive window with prices displayed, recurring advertising, the best products on offer at the lowest prices. As from the 1880s, in particular, the branches were selling the best American preserves such as Californian salmon and fruit and offered their customers the best coffees and a varied range of wines including those from the best vineyards. The branch manager was truly a specialist in his products that he knew and promoted to perfection.

1919-1939
During the crisis of the thirties, the discount stores appeared in Belgium. Instead of changing its strategy, Delhaize enlarged its assortment with the discount products Derby. At the same time, it reaffirmed its position of food specialist and its desire to offer the best products at a good price by enlarging its sales network, renovating its branches and modernizing its communication. In 1939, the company had over 744 branches and 1500 affiliated shops. In addition, it had several shops in Belgian Congo.

1945
Shortly after the Second World War, the company closed most of its factories, except for the distillery, coffee roasting and its printing house. The wines and spirits warehouses were subjected to sophisticated modernization in line with the most advanced techniques being applied in the French wine-producing world.

1950
Delhaize "Le Lion" and Adolphe Delhaize, brother of the founders who had established his own company with multiple branches, merged to form a single company.

1957
Following the example of the American supermarkets that a number of its managers had visited, in December 1957 in Brussels Delhaize "Le Lion" set up the first fully self-service supermarket in continental Europe. The environment was favorable: economic growth, full employment, rising standard of life, advances in home comforts (fitted kitchens, refrigerators, etc.) and overall optimism; amid the euphoria, Belgium was preparing for its great World's Fair. Delhaize offered its products revolutionizing their presentation: meat was pre-packaged, everything taken self-service, frozen foods attracted new interest, sales of fresh produce (thanks to appropriate shelving) increased ceaselessly. Customers discovered a shop of a type hitherto unknown, drawing its inspiration to a great extent from the United States: fluorescent tube lighting, bright colors, convenience, checkouts, etc.

1962
The company was launched on the Brussels Stock Exchange, under the name of S.A. Delhaize Frères et Cie "Le Lion".

1963-1973
Operating supermarkets required new infrastructure to be set up, capable of optimizing their efficiency. Fully air-conditioned warehouses were built, to store fruit and vegetables as well as dairy products. A modern butcher's shop was opened in 1967, on the 100th anniversary of the company. A drinks distribution center was created in 1979. On the personnel side, supermarkets were to create new professions, giving rise to new specialists in areas as diverse as management (introduction of information technology), communications and advertising, diversification and product knowledge.

1974-1975
At the time the company had 80 supermarkets which covered the main towns in Belgium. The public authorities enacted the first drastic laws intended to restrict the spread of large surface stores. These were known as the "padlock law". Delhaize needed to find a balance between expansion abroad and outside Europe, where these measures were becoming the norm, and prudent diversification in Belgium.

Expansion abroad was directed towards the United States, which constituted a new horizon through the acquisition of a share in the Food Town Stores chain, which was operating 22 supermarkets in North and South Carolina. In Belgium, where there was a slowdown in opening supermarkets, the know-how of the industry was applied to the field of chemists and body cares shops with the setting up of the DI shops.

1981
Delhaize launched in Belgium the AD (Delhaize Affiliates) chain. Here, the company played the part of a wholesaler and management adviser, enabling affiliates to benefit from almost a century of experience in these subjects.

1983
Food Town Stores was renamed Food Lion: in less than ten years the American subsidiary went from 22 to 226 supermarkets in 1983.

1985
Delhaize Group opened the first Cub Foods shop in Atlanta, offering a range of nearly 35,000 food products sold at very competitive prices 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

1989
Tom & Co, a chain of shops specializing in pet foods and supplies, was set up in Belgium, as well as Caddy-Home, a home delivery service.

1991
The opening up of the Eastern European markets following the fall of the Berlin Wall led Delhaize Group to turn its attention towards the Czech Republic, with the setting up of the Delvita company and the first shop in Prague.

1992
Delhaize celebrated 125 years in business as a specialist in the retail industry. Delhaize Group had 1,021 supermarkets in the United States, 410 outlets in Belgium, 108 of which were supermarkets, seven in the Czech Republic. In Greece Delhaize Group acquired the same year a majority share in the Alfa-Beta Vassilopoulos company, operating 14 supermarkets in the Athens conurbation. In total, the sales network of Delhaize Group counted 1,453 retail outlets and a staff of 76,000.

In Belgium, Delhaize set up "Carte Plus" intended to increase the loyalty of its customers and to reward them.

1996
Food Lion acquired the Kash n' Karry chain located mainly in the Tampa/Saint-Petersburg, Florida market, operating approximately 100 supermarkets.

1997
Delhaize Group opened up a new avenue for growth towards the East and the Far East by acquiring stakes in Thailand, through its Bel-Thai subsidiary, and in Indonesia, through Lion Super Indo. At the end of 1997, Delhaize Group operated 13 supermarkets in Asia.

1999
In 1999, the sales network of Delhaize Group passed the threshold of 2,000 outlets throughout the world.

In Asia, Delhaize Group acquired 49% of Shop N Save, the third largest food retailer in Singapore with 22 supermarkets. Food Lion Thailand also acquired six Sunny's supermarkets.

In Europe, Delvita bought 50 Interkontakt stores (11 of which were in Slovakia). Delhaize Group acquired the remaining 11.5% in Delvita and became the sole shareholder of its Czech operating company.

2000
In July 2000, Delhaize America acquired Hannaford Bros., Inc, a supermarket operator in the Northeast of the United States, with sales of USD 3.0 billion and operating 106 stores.

Delhaize Belgium acquired the minority interests in Caddy-Home, the Belgian home delivery activities, while Tom & Co acquired Amizoo, a pet food and products chain of 13 stores.

Delhaize Group acquired 51% of Mega Image, the largest Romanian supermarket operator.

Delhaize America acquired 51% of Food Lion Thailand, increasing the stake of Delhaize Group in Food Lion Thailand to 100%.

Delhaize Group is founding member of the WorldWide Retail Exchange, an internet exchange platform.

2001
In April 2001, Delhaize Group acquired 100% of Delhaize America, its U.S. subsidiary. Delhaize Group almost doubled its market capitalization. Delhaize Group listed its American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) on the New York Stock Exchange.

Delhaize Group put a new management structure in place, enlarging the Board of Directors with five new members, and creating an Office of the CEO.

Alfa-Beta acquired Trofo, the sixth Greek food retailer, to create the second largest food retailer in Greece.

In the United States, Delhaize Group sold nine Save-A-Lot stores to Supervalu, and closed Super Discount Markets, its supermarket chain operating 19 Cub Foods in Atlanta.

Delhaize Europe, the European division of Delhaize Group, joined EMD, the largest European buying group.

2002
In 2002, Delhaize Belgium launched a new commercial policy, based on an "Every Day Fair Price" position.

Delhaize Group raised its participation in Romania-based Mega Image to 70%.

2003
In October 2003, Delhaize Group acquired Harveys, a chain operating 43 supermarkets in central and south Georgia and the Tallahassee, Florida area.

In November 2003, Delhaize Group sold its participation in Singapore-based Shop N Save.

2004
In January 2004, Kash n' Karry closed 34 stores on the East Coast of Florida and in the Orlando market. The decision was taken to reposition the company and to launch a new banner in Florida called "Sweetbay Supermarket", focusing on a distinctive "go to market" strategy, supported by an excellent meat and produce offering, a dynamic and vibrant shopping experience and outstanding quality and variety of food. The conversions of the Kash n' Karry stores, initiated in 2004, will be completed by the end of 2007.

In June 2004, Delhaize Group acquires the remaining shares of its Romanian subsidiary Mega Image.

In August 2004, Delhaize Group divested its Thai operations. Twenty-one stores were sold, the remaining ones were closed

Food Lion launched Bloom, making shopping easier by offering customers value-added services, home meal replacements, an easy-to-shop store layout and technology features that make shopping easier for consumers.

In November 2004, Delhaize Group acquired Victory Super Market, operating 19 stores in the Northeastern U.S. This acquisition strengthens Hannaford's presence in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

2005
In June 2005, Delhaize Group sold its 11 stores in Slovakia to German Rewe Group.

In May 2005, Delhaize Group acquired Cash Fresh, a highly profitable chain of 43 supermarkets in the northeastern part of Belgium.

Food Lion launched Bottom Dollar, a deep discount concept carrying approximately 6,500 national and private label products.
 
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