[In the picture] Delhaize begins growth spurt at Cora site in Anderlecht

On Thursday morning, Delhaize opened a supermarket on the former Cora site in Anderlecht. It is the first of seven new stores that will replace the hypermarket chain, which is ceasing operations, in the coming days.

One-third of former Cora employees

The sleek-looking supermarket, measuring approximately 2,000 m², opened after a renovation process lasting barely 2.5 months, in part of the former Cora hypermarket, and is run by Nicolas Dardenne, who is also co-owner of Delhaize Wezembeek. Of the 39 permanent employees in the store, 16 have transferred from Cora. In total, the seven new stores will create around 300 jobs, including 180 permanent positions. On average, one-third of these will be former Cora employees.

The modern stores are expected to give the shopping centers—which will retain the name Cora Shopping—a new dynamic. Players such as DreamLand, Dreambaby, Jysk, Kiabi, Extra Shop, and Aldi will also open stores on the sites in the coming months.

Expansion boost

For Delhaize, the project represents a significant boost in terms of expansion. The other Cora sites will follow in the coming days and weeks: on Friday it will be the turn of Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe, followed by Messancy, La Louvière, Rocourt, Châtelineau, and Hornu. This represents a net increase of six stores, as the Hornu site is actually a relocation – albeit to a larger and better-located premises.

Later this year, Delhaize will also open a supermarket on the former Makro site in Machelen. In addition, there are many remodeling and expansion projects underway at existing stores. Delhaize also expects the competition authority to approve the acquisition of some 300 Delfood neighborhood stores soon.