Delhaize ends on a high

The Belgian supermarket group Delhaize has released its final results before merging with Dutch Ahold tomorrow. Turnover grew 4.3 %, while profits even went up 12.1 %.

Growth in all markets

The group only released preliminary results, but they are all positive: turnover grew 4.3 % (2.8 % including adverse exchange rates) and went up in all markets: 2.9 % in the United States, 2.6 % in Belgium and even 14.2 % in Southeastern Europe. The group’s underlying operating profit went up 12.1 % to 247 million euro (+10.4 % including exchange rate fluctuations) and, again, went up in all three of the group’s markets.

“We are pleased with the results we have published today. We grew revenues and underlying operating profit in each of our three operating segments while we also generated €258 million of operating free cash flow (excluding Transformation Plan and merger related costs) in this second quarter”, CEO Frans Muller said.

“Building on these second quarter results, we look forward to completing the merger with Ahold on July 23, subject to clearance from the FTC, and to work together with our future colleagues at Ahold Delhaize to build an even stronger company.”, Muller stated. In that case, Monday would be the first day the new Ahold Delhaize combined share would be traded on the stock exchange.