Brussel, Belgium, June 19, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Delhaize Group (Euronext Brussels: DELB) (NYSE: DEG), the Belgian international food retailer, has announced that Shelley G. Broader will become the President and Chief Operating Officer of its Kash n' Karry subsidiary effective June 23, 2003. Broader will replace Michael Byars, who has served as Chief Operating Officer since September 1997. Byars is considering several other opportunities within Delhaize Group.
"Mike has done a great job positioning Kash n' Karry as a formidable competitor in Florida," said Ronald Hodge, executive vice president of Delhaize Group. In her new role Broader will be reporting to Hodge, Hannaford's Chief Executive Officer and President. Hodge also serves as the senior U.S.-based officer responsible for Kash n' Karry operations.
"Shelley's strong analytical skills, ability to set and articulate strategic direction, build consensus, and grow sales make her a terrific choice to lead Kash n' Karry going forward," Hodge said.
Since 2001, Broader has served as Senior Vice President of Business Strategy, Marketing, and Communication for Delhaize Group's Hannaford subsidiary. Her responsibilities included setting and communicating strategic direction while maintaining a strong connection with consumers. She directed the research, marketing, communication and business information functions.
"Shelley was instrumental in repositioning Hannaford for long term growth," Hodge said.
Broader, a native of Spokane, Wash., and a graduate of Washington State University, began her career in investment banking. She joined Hannaford Bros. Co., in 1991 rising steadily in the organization through positions in retail operations, merchandising, and distribution. In 1997 she became Vice President of Perishable Merchandising. Under her leadership, Hannaford's image as a retailer of top quality perishables resulted in significant increases in sales and profitability.
Broader indicated that her primary objective is to grow sales and profitability by enhancing Kash n' Karry's image as "the" provider of quality meats and produce in the marketplace, and offering customers an unparalleled shopping experience.
Broader sees the Florida market as offering excellent growth opportunities for Kash n' Karry. "We're committed to the Florida market," Broader said. "To thrive in the dynamic, highly competitive marketplace in which we operate, we'll need to anticipate customers' needs and then surpass their expectations, so Kash n' Karry becomes the supermarket of choice for Florida consumers."
"I'm confident we are positioned to grow our business and our bottom line," Broader said.
During her tenure at Hannaford, Broader was active in a number of community-based organizations, serving on the board of directors of the Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education. She also served as president of the Frannie Peabody Center Board of Directors, an AIDS service organization, and was a member of the Maine Women's Forum.
Beth Newlands Campbell, Hannaford's Senior Vice President for Retail Operations, has been named the new Senior Vice President of Business Strategy, Marketing, and Communication for Hannaford.
Tampa-based Kash n' Karry is a member of Delhaize America, the U.S. division of Brussels-based Delhaize Group. With more than 50 years in the grocery business, Kash n' Karry is one of the most respected supermarket chains in Central Florida with more than 11,000 associates in 137 stores. For additional information, please see the Kash n' Karry website at www.kashnkarry.com.
Delhaize Group is a Belgian food retailer present in 10 countries on three continents. At the end of 2002, Delhaize Group's sales network consisted of 2,527 stores. In 2002, Delhaize Group posted EUR 20.7 billion (USD 19.6 billion) in sales and EUR 178.3 million (USD 168.6 million) in net earnings. Delhaize Group employs approximately 144,000 people. Delhaize Group is listed on Euronext Brussels (DELB) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEG).
Some of the statements in this press release and other written and oral statements made from time to time by Delhaize Group and its representatives are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about strategic options, future strategies and the anticipated benefits of these strategies. These statements are based on Delhaize Group's current expectations. Delhaize Group's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in such forward-looking statements. 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 Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2001 and other periodic filings made by Delhaize Group and Delhaize America with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference. Delhaize Group and Delhaize America disclaim 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.