Delhaize Belgium is a Belgian supermarket chain that belongs to

Delhaize Group, a Belgian international food distributor that is

active in six countries on three different continents (Europe, North
America and Asia). Delhaize Belgium currently employs circa
17.0002 people and has its headquarters in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek,
Brussels. The company also owns two distribution centers in
Ninove and Zellik. Delhaize Belgium is particularly known for its
food expertise and its corporate responsibility. It aims to become
the absolute value leader on the Belgian market by offering
quality products at competitive prices. Today, the Belgian sales
network consists of 792 shops, including 41 shops in the Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg. There are seven brand names, depending
on the specialty, store size and whether the store is directly
operated or affiliated3:
Delhaize "Le Lion" Supermarket (144 shops) is the leading
banner of Delhaize Group in Belgium.
The other supermarket banner, AD Delhaize (223 shops), is the
most important growth vehicle since a few years.
As the name already discloses, Delhaize City stores (18 shops)
can be found in urban centers such as Ghent, Brussels and
Antwerp. They are operated as neighborhood stores, selling
mainly private label products.
Proxy Delhaize (189 shops) is a convenience store operating
mini-markets. This banner emphasizes fresh products and
Delhaize private label products.
The content of this part is based on the Annual Report 2009 of Delhaize Group and on the companys
website. Consulted on 22 June 2010.
http://www.delhaizegroup.com/divclassdg_MenuText_GreenINVESTORSdiv/Publications/AnnualReports /
2009/tabid/262/language/en-US/Default.aspx 2 17,058 at the end of 2009. 3 Affiliated stores are stores
to which Delhaize Group sells wholesale goods and generates income only from sales made to such
shops.

HISTORY
Six brothers laid out the foundations for the company. Delhaize
Belgium was founded in 1867, by Jules Delhaize, who left his job
as a teacher, and his brother Auguste Delhaize, a veterinary
surgeon. The family partnership was called Delhaize Frres et Cie
and sold colonial products, wines and spirits. The brothers opened
their first shop at Place Vertre in Charleroi. That same year, they
were joined by both Jules Vieujant, their future brother-in-law who
opened the La Louvire and Mons stores, and their brother
Edouard, who started those in Namur and Huy. Retail must have
been in the familys blood, since brother Adolphe followed in their
footsteps as well, opening his first shop in 1866 in Chtelet.
Everyone had immediate success and in 1871, the brothers joined
in a limited partnership. They decided to move the company to
Brussels and the partners divided the tasks. Meanwhile, their
brother Louis had founded his own business, Louis Delhaize,
which was restricted to Hainaut. In 1874, Adolphe decided to go
his own way. Consequently, an agreement was reached to divide
the first stores between Delhaize Frres et Cie and the new
company Adolphe Delhaize. This agreement laid down the clauses
on future non-competition and it was decided that the companies
would not open stores less than five hundred meters away from
each other. Next, the company disbanded to form a new
company, which was also joined by the youngest brother, Leopold
Delhaize. In 1875, Le Lion was added to the name of the
company, as it represents force, solidarity and unity, recalling the
Belgian lion. The firms identity was further completed by the
slogans Strength in unity and Good value. Progressively, the
generic name of Delhaize Le Lion was adopted.

Company Structure