NEW YORK, NY - Delhaize America Inc. (NYSE: DZA, DZB) shareholders today approved a share exchange agreement whereupon Delhaize Group will exchange all outstanding shares of Delhaize America it does not already own for Delhaize Group ordinary shares or Delhaize Group American Depositary Shares (ADRs). Ninety-five percent of Class A shareholders, and more than 93 percent of Class B shareholders casting ballots approved the share exchange.
Prior to today's vote, Delhaize Group owned approximately 37% of Delhaize America's Class A shares, and approximately 56% of Delhaize America's Class B shares.
A letter of transmittal and election forms will be mailed to all shareholders in the coming weeks, along with instructions for exchanging Delhaize America stock certificates for either Delhaize Group ordinary shares or Delhaize Group American Depositary Shares (ADRs). Delhaize Group ordinary shares trade on Euronext Brussels under the 'DELB' ticker and Delhaize Group ADRs will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the 'DEG' ticker.
Delhaize America, based in Salisbury, N.C., is the fifth largest supermarket retailer in the U.S operating 1,400 supermarkets under the banners of Food Lion, Hannaford Bros., and Kash n' Karry. Delhaize Group is a global food retailer operating more than 2,300 stores in 10 countries.
For more information, please visit our website at
www.delhaizeamerica.com or
www.delhaizegroup.com.
Tawn Earnest (Media Relations)
(704) 633-8250, ext. 2185
Amy Shue (Investor Relations)
(704) 633-8250, ext. 2529