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Delhaize Group (DEG:NYSE) BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 16, 2008 - Delhaize Group (Euronext Brussels: DELB - NYSE: DEG), the Belgian international food retailer, announced today that on January 1, 2009 it will become a member of AMS. Through AMS' international sourcing expertise Delhaize Group will further optimize its price negotiations for its private label programs.
AMS is one of the largest buying alliances in Europe for private label products. By sourcing commodities on a European and global scale, AMS has the objective to deliver its members the best possible quality products at the best possible price. Today, the AMS partnership counts 11 European retailers. These represent approximately EUR 75 billion in sales in Europe. As from January 1, 2009, Delhaize Group becomes a member, together with Système U (France). Until then, Delhaize Group remains a partner of European Marketing Distribution (EMD), the European buying alliance it joined in 2001.
"As a partner of AMS, we will be able to improve our private label programs further and create economies of scale that will benefit the consumer", says Renaud Cogels Executive Vice President Delhaize Group, Chief Executive Officer Southeastern Europe and Asia and Head of Global Sourcing. "Private label products have become an increasingly important tool for differentiation and customer loyalty building, especially in our historical Belgian and European markets. Today more than ever, they also present a welcome alternative to consumers which purchasing power is under pressure."
Delhaize Group Delhaize Group is a Belgian food retailer with operations in seven countries on three continents. At the end of 2007, Delhaize Group's sales network consisted of 2,545 stores. In 2007, Delhaize Group's revenues amounted to EUR 19.0 billion. In 2007, Delhaize Group posted EUR 410.1 million in net profit. At the end of 2007, Delhaize Group employed approximately 138,000 people. Delhaize Group is listed on Euronext Brussels (DELB) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEG).
