Delhaize Group press release - Delhaize shareholders approve proposed merger with Ahold

BRUSSELS, Belgium, March 14, 2016 -- Delhaize Group NV/SA ("Delhaize") today announced that its shareholders approved the proposed merger between Delhaize and Koninklijke Ahold N.V. ("Ahold") at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held today.

61.7% of all outstanding Delhaize ordinary shares were represented at the meeting. The merger was approved by approximately 96.2% of the votes cast. All other proposed resolutions in relation to the merger were also approved by Delhaize shareholders.

At completion of the merger, Delhaize shareholders will receive 4.75 Ahold ordinary shares for each Delhaize ordinary share.

Delhaize Chairman Mats Jansson commented, "We are excited to receive this overwhelming support from our shareholders for this merger and all other related resolutions. Today's vote underscores their clear appreciation of the strategic rationale for the combination of our two companies, which will create a stronger and more innovative food retail company, with enhanced scale and increased relevance in local communities. We are moving one step closer to the completion of this merger process, which is expected to take place mid-2016."  

On June 24, 2015, Delhaize and Ahold announced their intention to merge. The transaction is expected to be completed in mid-2016, following associate consultation procedures and regulatory clearances in the United States and Belgium.

The final voting results from today's shareholders' meeting will be disclosed on our website and in a Form 6-K that will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

» Delhaize Group

Delhaize Group is a Belgian international food retailer present in seven countries on three continents. At the end of 2015, Delhaize Group's sales network consisted of 3,512 stores. In 2015, Delhaize Group posted €24.4 billion ($27.1 billion) in revenues. In 2015, Delhaize Group posted €366 million ($407 million) in net profit (Group share). At the end of 2015, Delhaize Group employed approximately 154,000 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 http://www.delhaizegroup.com. Questions can be sent to [email protected].

» Contacts

Investor Relations: + 32 2 412 2151
Media Relations: + 32 2 412 8669

Press release in PDF http://hugin.info/133961/R/1994072/734222.pdf

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