BRUSSELS, Belgium, April 1, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Delhaize Group (Euronext Brussels: DELB, NYSE: DEG), the Belgian international food retailer, announces that it has signed an agreement with Tropic Group B.V. on the sale of its Bosnian & Herzegovinian stores.
Delhaize Group has signed an agreement with Tropic Group B.V., to divest all of its 39 Bosnian & Herzegovinian stores. Tropic Group B.V. is an entrepreneurial organization founded by Mr. Bojan Risovic. He is an established retailer with a long history of successfully running retail enterprises.
The transaction is expected to complete in the third quarter subject to regulatory approval and working capital adjustments.
» Delhaize Group
Delhaize Group is a Belgian international food retailer present in nine countries on three continents. At the end of 2013, Delhaize Group's sales network consisted of 3 534 stores. In 2013, Delhaize Group posted €21.1 billion in revenues and €179 million in net profit (Group share). At the end of 2013, Delhaize Group employed approximately 160 000 people. Delhaize Group's stock is listed on NYSE Euronext Brussels (DELB) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEG).
This press release is available in English, French and Dutch. You can also find it on the website www.delhaizegroup.com . Questions can be sent to investor@delhaizegroup.com.
» Contacts
Investor Relations: + 32 2 412 2151
Media Relations: + 32 2 412 8669
cautionary note regarding forward looking statements
Statements that are included or incorporated by reference in this press release and other written and oral statements made from time to time by Delhaize Group and its representatives, other than statements of historical fact, which address activities, events and developments that Delhaize Group expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, when the sale of Delhaize BH (Delhaize Group's operations in Bosnia & Herzegovina) to Tropic Group B.V. is expected to be completed; the financial flexibility that will result from the sale; the ultimate value of the transaction to Delhaize Group after working capital adjustments, expected costs savings, the closing, conversion and opening of stores, the expected effect of the portfolio optimization, anticipated revenue and net profit growth, anticipated free cash flow generation, strategic options, future strategies and the anticipated benefits of these strategies and (underlying) operating profit guidance, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified as statements that include phrases such as "guidance," "outlook," "projected," "believe," "target," "predict," "estimate," "forecast," "strategy," "may," "goal," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "foresee," "likely," "will," "should" or other similar words or phrases. Although such statements are based on current information, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those projected depending upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, conditions to closing the sale of Delhaize BH (Delhaize Group's operations in Bosnia & Herzegovina) to Tropic Group B.V., including regulatory approvals; changes in the general economy or the markets of Delhaize Group, in strategy, in consumer spending, in inflation or currency exchange rates or in legislation or regulation; competitive factors; adverse determination with respect to claims; inability to timely develop, remodel, integrate, open, convert or close stores; and supply or quality control problems with vendors. Additional risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements are described in Delhaize Group's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and other filings made by Delhaize Group with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference. Delhaize Group disclaims any obligation to update developments of these risk factors or to announce publicly any revision to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this release, including guidance with respect to underlying operating profit, SG&A, net finance costs, capital expenditures, store openings and free cash flow, or to make corrections to reflect future events or developments.
Press release in Pdf-format http://hugin.info/133961/R/1773344/604288.pdf
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