Independents / Regional Grocers

Saying it hit upon the right balance of assortment and price, Delhaize Group's U.S. banners showed strong sales results in the fourth quarter and have continued momentum into the new fiscal year, officials said last week. The retailer here cited a 3.9% increase in fourth-quarter sales at Food Lion, Sweetbay and Hannaford as a key factor driving quarterly and year-end operating profits that

byJon Springer, Executive Editor