BRUSSELS, Jan. 9, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Delhaize Group (Euronext Brussels: DELB) (NYSE:DEG), the Belgian international food retailer, today reported an increase of sales in 2001 by 17.8% to EUR 21.4 billion. Delhaize Group's sales in the fourth quarter of 2001 amounted to EUR 5.5 billion, an increase of 1.5% over the comparable thirteen-week period in 2000.
In 2001, Delhaize Group achieved sales of EUR 21.4 billion compared to EUR 18.2 billion the prior year. These results include sales of the acquired companies Hannaford Bros. (since July 31, 2000) and Trofo (since January 1, 2001). Excluding acquisitions, divestitures and currency fluctuations, organic sales growth of Delhaize Group was 4.0% in 2001.
Compared to 2000 figures adjusted for Delhaize America's results on a thirteen-week basis, sales of Delhaize Group grew by 1.5% in the fourth quarter of 2001. Organic growth of Delhaize Group in the fourth quarter of 2001 was 4.2%, excluding acquisitions, divestitures, currency fluctuations and adjusted for a comparable number of weeks at Delhaize America. Due to a change in its financial calendar, Delhaize America only contributed 13 weeks to Delhaize Group's sales in the fourth quarter of 2001, against 16 weeks in 2000. As a result, in the fourth quarter of 2001, Delhaize Group's sales amounted to EUR 5.5 billion compared to EUR 6.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2000.
At the end of 2001, Delhaize Group's sales network consisted of 2,444 stores, an increase by 134 stores (+5.8%) compared to the previous year. Total net selling area rose by 3.9% to 5.0 million square meters. Delhaize Group expects to increase its sales network in 2002 by 136 stores (+5.6%) to a total of 2,580 outlets. For 2002, Delhaize Group plans capital expenditure of EUR 715 million.
The entire news release including the accompanying financial tables can be found at the following link: