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Delhaize to Step Up New Store Growth

On the heels of posting its best U.S. annual comparable-store sales gains in a decade, Delhaize Group here will step up store growth in fiscal 2008, particularly in its Food Lion division, the retailer said Thursday.

Jon Springer, Executive Editor

January 18, 2008

1 Min Read
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JON SPRINGER

BRUSSELS — On the heels of posting its best U.S. annual comparable-store sales gains in a decade, Delhaize Group here will step up store growth in fiscal 2008, particularly in its Food Lion division, the retailer said Thursday. Delhaize said it would spend around $750 million in capital expenditures in the U.S. in fiscal 2008, with plans to build between 50 and 55 new stores, including 45 in its Food Lion division, which includes the Food Lion, Bottom Dollar, Bloom and Harveys banners. Delhaize opened 32 new Food Lion units in 2007. Delhaize also said it would build seven new Hannaford stores (same as in 2007) and four Sweetbay stores (vs. five last year). Also Thursday, Delhaize said annual U.S. sales in 2007 improved by 5.1% to $18.2 billion, with a 3.8% comp increase it called its best in more than 10 years. Sales for the fourth quarter increased 5.1% to $4.6 billion, supported by market-renewals at Food Lion, pricing and innovation at Hannaford, and revenue growth in “most” Sweetbay locations.

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About the Author

Jon Springer

Executive Editor

Jon Springer is executive editor of Winsight Grocery Business with responsibility for leading its digital news team. Jon has more than 20 years of experience covering consumer business and retail in New York, including more than 14 years at the Retail/Financial desk at Supermarket News. His previous experience includes covering consumer markets for KPMG’s Insiders; the U.S. beverage industry for Beverage Spectrum; and he was a Senior Editor covering commercial real estate and retail for the International Council of Shopping Centers. Jon began his career as a sports reporter and features editor for the Cecil Whig, a daily newspaper in Elkton, Md. Jon is also the author of two books on baseball. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English-Journalism from the University of Delaware. He lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. with his family.

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