Delhaize 'Le Lion' passes the BEF 100 billion sales mark in Belgium.
During 1995 the
Delhaize 'Le Lion' group continued its growth by opening 88 new stores. At constant currency rates, consolidated sales increased by 5.6 %. The 11.8 % drop of the average exchange rate of the US dollar however had an impact on the expression in Belgian francs of the consolidated sales that amounted to BEF 368 billion, a decrease of 3.3 % compared to 1994.
In Belgium and in the U.S.A. there was a new increase of the Delhaize 'Le Lion' group's sales in a difficult environment and despite strong competition.
SALES
(in millions) |
1995 |
1995/1994 |
| Delhaize 'Le Lion' Belgium |
BEF 103,412 (*) |
+ 4.9 % |
| Food Lion |
USD 8,211 |
+ 3.5 % |
| Super Discount Markets |
USD 293 |
- 1.8 % |
(*) V.A.T. included
In Belgium, Delhaize 'Le Lion' exceeded for the first time sales of BEF 100 billion and realized another year of important growth especially due to the opening of affiliated stores AD and Superettes Delhaize, chain that operates 193 stores at the end of 1995, as well as to the opening of Di and TOM & Co stores. In 1996 the company foresees investments in Belgium of BEF 2 billion and the opening of some new stores including a new Delhaize 'Le Lion' supermarket.
In the U.S.A. Food Lion's same store sales increased by 2.3 %. The further expansion of Food Lion was achieved by the opening of new supermarkets, by the renovation and extension of existing stores and through the successful opening of 3 new large format test supermarkets.
In spite of the stagnant sales due to the fierce competition, Super Discount Markets will book a profit.
| |
Number of stores
end 1995 |
Openings
1995 |
Openings Expectations
in 1996 |
Delhaize 'Le Lion'
Supermarkets
Affiliates
Di
Dial |
110
193
80
52 |
- (*)
8
10
1 |
1 (*)
12
10
1 |
| Tom & Co |
15 |
7 |
10 |
| Food Lion |
1,073 |
47 (**) |
50 (**) |
| Super Discount Markets |
13 |
- |
- |
(*) + 9 remodelings (**) + 120 remodelings
Other European markets: In 1995 the Delhaize 'Le Lion' group concentrated its development efforts on its new European markets: a total of 15 supermarkets have been opened, in France at P.G.'s, in Greece at Alfa-Beta's and the Czech Republic at Delvita's, which brought the combined sales of these 3 chains at BEF 24.6 billion (+14 %). In 1996 the opening of twenty supermarkets as well as two distribution centers are planned for the 3 countries to end 1996 with 94 supermarkets.
SALES
(in millions) |
1995 |
1995/1994 |
| P.G. |
FRF 1,963 (*)
(BEF 11,596) |
+ 9 % |
| Alfa-Beta |
GRD 81,572 (*)
(BEF 10,380) |
+ 25 % |
| Delvita |
CZK 2,389 (*)
(BEF 2,648) |
+ 54 % |
(*) V.A.T. included
| |
|
OPENINGS |
|
| |
Number of
stores
end 1995 |
1995 |
Expectations
1996 |
| P.G. |
33 |
3 |
4 |
| ALFA-BETA |
21 |
4 |
6 (*) |
| DELVITA |
20 |
8 |
10 (*) |
(*) + 1 distribution center
At constant currency rates, the consolidated operating profit of the fiscal year 1995 should improve against 1994.
The Delhaize 'Le Lion' group schedules the opening of 104 new stores in 1996 and will continue to search for growth opportunities within high potential markets.
The payment by Delhaize 'Le Lion' S.A. of a higher dividend can be expected.