In 2000, Delhaize Group achieved sales of EUR 18.2 billion, an increase of 27.2 % compared to 1999. In the last quarter of 2000, sales of Delhaize Group amounted to EUR 6.4 billion, an increase by 45.0 % over the same period in 1999.
At the end of 2000, Delhaize Group's sales network consisted of 2,360 stores, an increase of 248 stores (+ 11.7 % over 1999). In 2000, total selling area rose by 15.9 % to 4.8 million square meters. During the fourth quarter of 2000, Delhaize Group enlarged its sales network with 45 stores. Following the investment in Mega-Image (Romania) in May 2000, Delhaize Group has operations in 11 countries.
For Delhaize Group, 2001 will be a year of growth but also of consolidation. Delhaize Group expects to increase its sales network by 153 stores to a total of 2,513, taking into account the agreed divestiture of the remaining 50 % ownership interest in P.G. (France) to Carrefour and the acquisition of Trofo (Greece). For 2001, Delhaize Group plans capital expenditures of EUR 620 million.
On November 16, 2000, the Boards of Directors of Delhaize Group and Delhaize America announced an agreement for a share exchange pursuant to which Delhaize Group will exchange each outstanding share of Delhaize America not currently held by Delhaize Group for 0.4 shares of Delhaize Group. Delhaize Group is proceeding on schedule with a closing for this transaction in the Spring of 2001.
Delhaize America (U.S.A.) posted in 2000 sales of USD 12.7 billion (EUR 13.7 billion), an increase by 16.3 % over 1999. These results include the sales of Hannaford since the beginning of August 2000. Comparable store sales rose by 0.8 % during 2000. In the fourth quarter of 2000, sales increased by 32.5 % to USD 4.5 billion (EUR 5.2 billion) over 1999, while comparable store sales grew by 2.1 %. In 2000, Delhaize America increased total selling area by 17.4 % to 42.4 million square feet (3.9 million square meters), finishing the year with 1,420 supermarkets. During 2000, Delhaize America opened 66 new stores, acquired 106 Hannaford-supermarkets and relocated or closed 28 stores, for a net increase of 144 stores. In addition, Delhaize America remodeled 173 supermarkets. In 2001, Delhaize America expects to open 44 new supermarkets and seven stores will be relocated, resulting in a total store number at the end of 2001 of 1,457 stores, a net increase of 37 outlets. Delhaize America will remodel approximately 70 existing stores The total selling area will grow by 4.0 %. Delhaize America plans capital expenditure of USD 450 million (EUR 478 million) in 2001.
In 2000,
Super Discount Markets (U.S.A.) posted sales of USD 314.9 million (EUR 341.7 million), an increase of 0.1 % over 1999. During the fourth quarter of 2000, Super Discount Markets posted sales of USD 97.5 million (EUR 112.2 million), a decrease of 5.8 %. In 2000, one Cub Foods supermarket and nine Save-A-Lot discount stores were added to the sales network, bringing the total number of stores to 30. The total selling area increased by 15.7 % to 1.0 million square feet (95,497 square meters). In 2001, Super Discount Markets plans to open one Save-A-Lot discount store.
Delhaize Belgium posted sales of EUR 3.0 billion in 2000, an increase by 6.3 % over 1999 due primarily to the extension of the sales network and successful sales initiatives in its existing stores. For the fourth quarter of 2000, total sales increased by 6.6 % to EUR 801.3 million over the same period in 1999. In 2000, the total market share of Delhaize Belgium has continued to increase. During the course of the year, Delhaize Belgium enlarged its sales network with one Delhaize supermarket 'Le Lion', 18 AD Delhaize, Superette, Proxy Delhaize, Delhaize 2 or Delhaize City stores, nine Shop 'n Go stores, five Di stores and 29 Tom & Co stores (including 13 acquired Amizoo-stores). The total selling area increased by 7.8 % to 500,056 square meters. In 2001, the sales network of Delhaize Belgium will be enlarged by 24 AD Delhaize, Superette, Proxy Delhaize or Delhaize City, 16 Shop 'n Go, 15 Di and 17 Tom & Co. In 2001, Delhaize Group plans capital expenditure of EUR 81 million in its Belgian operations.
Sales of
Alfa-Beta (Greece) rose by 13.6 % to GRD 160.1 billion (EUR 475.8 million) in 2000. During the fourth quarter of 2000, Alfa-Beta posted sales of GRD 46.2 billion (EUR 136.0 million), an increase by 10.1 % compared to 1999. At the end of 2000, Alfa-Beta operated 53 supermarkets, five more than at the end of 1999. The total selling area increased by 12.9 % to 66,075 square meters. In 2001, the sales network will be enlarged by 54 stores to a total of 107 outlets through the acquisition of Trofo. Alfa-Beta plans capital expenditure of GRD 4.1 billion (EUR 12 million).
Delvita (Czech Republic and Slovakia) increased in 2000 its sales by 7.3 % to CZK 12.4 billion (EUR 345.6 million). During the fourth quarter of 2000, sales of Delvita decreased from CZK 3.5 billion (EUR 95.2 million) to CZK 3.1 billion (EUR 89.1 million) as a result of the competitive pressure due to the significant number of competitive store openings. During 2000, the total selling area increased by 3.1 % to 102,224 square meters. At the end of 2000, Delvita operated 114 stores, including 99 stores in the Czech Republic, and 15 stores in Slovakia. In 2001, the opening of four new supermarkets in the Czech Republic and five in Slovakia is foreseen. Delvita plans capital expenditures of CZK 1.1 billion (EUR 30 million).
Mega-Image (Romania) posted in 2000 sales of ROL 419.3 billion (EUR 20.5 million), including fourth quarter sales of ROL 195.2 billion (EUR 9.0 million). At the end of 2000, Mega-Image operated 10 stores, two more since its acquisition by Delhaize Group in May 2000.
In 2000,
P.G. (France) achieved sales of EUR 317.5 million, including sales of EUR 77.8 million in the fourth quarter. At the end of 2000, P.G.'s sales network included 38 supermarkets and 12 affiliated stores. The total selling area increased by 0.9 % to 55,295 square meters. Delhaize Group agreed with Carrefour to sell its remaining 50 % ownership interest in P.G. to Carrefour.
In 2000, the operations of Delhaize Group in
Asia posted sales of EUR 230.0 million, an increase of 39.8 % over 1999. The sales in the fourth quarter increased by 39.4 % to EUR 65.3 million. At the end of 2000, Delhaize Group operated 68 supermarkets in Asia, including 18 in Thailand, 20 in Indonesia and 30 in Singapore, an increase in 2000 of five, six and five stores, respectively. In 2001, Delhaize Group expects to increase its sales network in Asia by 28 stores to a total of 96 stores, an increase by 11 in Thailand, 10 in Indonesia and seven in Singapore.
Shareholder's calendar
- Press release - 2000 results March 15, 2001
- Press release - 2001 first quarter results April 27, 2001
- Final date for depositing shares for the General Shareholders Meeting May 17, 2001
- General Shareholders Meeting May 23, 2001
- Dividend becomes payable for the 2000 financial year May 31, 2001
- Press release - 2001 second quarter results September 6, 2001
- Press release - 2001 third quarter results October 26, 2001
Investors and financial press contact
Guy Elewaut Tel.: + 32 (0) 2 412 29 48
Geoffroy d'Oultremont Tel.: + 32 (0) 2 412 83 21
Fax: + 32 (0) 2 412 29 76
e-mail:
investor@delhaizegroup.com
This press release is available in English, French and Dutch.
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Year 2000 sales
Fourth quarter 2000 sales
Exchange rates
Number of stores
Selling area (1)