Delhaize opens first franchised store without problems

This morning, Belgian supermarket chain Delhaize reopened its first store with independent entrepreneurs at the helm in Denderleeuw. The chain plans to reopen all of its 128 integrated stores as franchised stores before the end of 2024.

Peace and quiet

Delhaize had already announced its plans to sell all of its 128 integrated stores to franchisers in March, followed by a first list of fifteen concrete stores in August. Delhaize Denderleeuw was one of these fifteen, and was earmarked to be reopened by local couple Stijn Van Der Weeën and Laure Misseeuw – who have already been operating a Proxy Delhaize convenience store in the same municipality since 2015.

Remarkably, the trade unions have not planned any protest actions at this first reopening. “The uncertainty that often accompanies such a big change has given way to a sense of confidence”, deputy shop manager Gianni Scheerlinck points out. “The new wind that the new owners have introduced, makes us especially keen on this new chapter.” There was a limited symbolic action by the left-wing BBTK, but everything remained calm and peaceful. That may be good news for the three stores that are scheduled to reopen later this week – those in Bouffioulx (Wednesday), Izegem (Thursday) and Nivelles (Friday).

The new owners want to give the supermarket a new commercial dynamism by expanding the range of fresh produce and bakery products, and by offering a wider range of local and regional products, Belgian newspaper HLN reports. Opening hours will remain unchanged: this shop will therefore not open on Sundays, although that possibility exists for franchise shops.