Brussels, Belgium - July 13, 2009 - Delhaize Group, the Belgian international food retailer, announced today that it will hold, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Delhaize "The Lion" Nederland B.V. ("Delned"), a 89.56% interest in its Greek subsidiary Alfa-Beta Vassilopoulos ("Alfa-Beta") upon settlement of the tender offer launched on Alfa-Beta's shares on May 18, 2009. Prior to the tender offer Delhaize Group owned 8 310 614 shares or 65.27% of the voting rights of Alfa-Beta.
Pierre-Olivier Beckers, President and CEO of Delhaize Group, commented: "We are more than happy with the success of the tender offer during which we could increase our shareholding by almost 25%. These results give Delhaize Group the necessary flexibility for its plans for the future of Alfa-Beta."
On May 18, 2009, Delhaize Group announced that Delned had filed with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission ("CMC") a voluntary tender offer for all the outstanding shares of Alfa-Beta not owned by Delned at a price of EUR 30.50 per Alfa-Beta share. On June 29, 2009, the offer price was increased to EUR 34.00 per share.
During the acceptance period, which started on June 12, 2009 and ended on July 9, 2009, shareholders of Alfa-Beta tendered 2 680 324 shares in total, representing approximately 21.05% of the Alfa-Beta's voting rights. In addition, from the date of the tender offer until the end of the acceptance period, Delned purchased through the Athens Exchange 406 519 shares representing approximately 3.19% of Alfa-Beta's voting rights. Since the end of the acceptance period, Delned has bought an additional 5 981 shares. As a result, upon settlement of such purchases, Delhaize Group, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Delned, will hold 11 403 438 shares representing approximately 89.56% of Alfa-Beta's voting rights.
All Alfa-Beta shares validly tendered before the end of the acceptance period will be entitled to receive the increased tender offer price of EUR 34.00 per share (minus applicable taxes). The payment of the tender price to holders who have validly tendered their shares will begin on July 17, 2009.
Please consult the website of the Athens Exchange (www.athex.gr) for the formal announcement regarding the results of the tender offer.
Alfa-Beta is a Greek food retail company which was established in 1969. At the end of the first quarter of 2009, Alfa-Beta's sales network consisted of 199 stores (of which 151 company-operated, 38 affiliated stores and 10 Cash-and-Carry stores). In 2008, Alfa-Beta's consolidated revenues amounted to approximately EUR 1 337 million and its net consolidated profit to approximately EUR 32.7 million. At the end of 2008, Alfa-Beta employed 7 612 people. Alfa-Beta has been listed on the Athens Exchange (BASIK) since 1990.
Delhaize Group is a Belgian food retailer present in six countries on three continents. At the end of the first quarter of 2009, Delhaize Group's sales network consisted of 2 670 stores. In 2008, Delhaize Group posted EUR 19 billion in revenues and EUR 467 million in net profit (Group share). At the end of 2008, Delhaize Group employed approximately 141 000 people. Delhaize Group's stock is listed on Euronext Brussels (DELB) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEG).