Delhaize Group Announces the Results of its Tender Offer on the
Shares of Alfa-Beta Vassilopoulos
BRUSSELS, Belgium - July 13, 2009 - Delhaize Group (Euronext
Brussels: DELB - NYSE: DEG), 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).
This press release is available in English, French and Dutch. You can
also find it on the website http://www.delhaizegroup.com. Questions
can be sent to investor@delhaizegroup.com.
» Disclaimers
This press release is not an offer to purchase any of Alfa-Beta's
common registered shares. The tender offer referred to above was
made pursuant to the terms of an information circular as revised by
Delned's announcement of the increased offer price.
» Contacts
Guy Elewaut: + 32 2 412 29 48 Amy Shue (U.S. investors):
+1 704 633 8250 (ext.2529)
Geert Verellen: + 32 2 412 83 62 Barbera Hoppenbrouwers
(media): + 32 2 412 86 69
Aurélie Bultynck: + 32 2 412 83 61
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, statements about strategic
options, future strategies and the anticipated benefits of these
strategies, 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, changes in the general economy or the
markets of Delhaize Group, 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 or convert 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, or to make corrections to reflect future events or
developments.
This announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer is
solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
