Delhaize acquires Delfood, the company which owns the Louis Delhaize brand and delivers to these stores. The operation concerns 325 points of sale delivered by Delfood, logistics and the central office in Belgium. Delhaize is thus strengthening its presence in the convenience segment.
The new year does not take long to reveal a very important change in Belgian food retail. Delhaize today announced its intention to acquire Delfood, part of the Louis Delhaize Group. Delfood brings together 325 points of sale, whether stores operating under the Louis Delhaize brand or convenience stores supplied by the company. The takeover also concerns the logistics tool and the head office in Belgium. Delhaize intends to develop its network of stores and continue its growth. The “louis delhaize” brand is part of this transaction and will be retained. Delfood’s management team and employees will be retained, as will contracts with affiliated stores. Founded more than 150 years ago, Delfood operates in the Belgian food distribution market and specializes in chain stores of less than 400 m2. Delfood operates in 325 points of sale throughout Belgium, including 4 convenience stores in owned airports and train stations. 150 of them are operated under the Louis Delhaize brand. The acquisition also concerns the company’s logistics. Delfood employs 310 people, including 82 in the Montignies-sur-Sambre depot and 88 in the support teams. Xavier Piesvaux, CEO of Delhaize, comments on this operation: “Thanks to this acquisition, Delhaize intends to strengthen its position on the Belgian food distribution market and make its expertise in food and fresh products available to Louis Delhaize stores. This allows us to stand out even more structurally in the convenience store segment in addition to our local stores. We are confident that we can continue to develop the potential of Louis Delhaize stores and independent partner stores and create growth together with experienced Delfood associates and affiliates. »
The news doesn’t come entirely as a surprise. Since November, the rumor has been circulating in the industry. The Louis Delhaize brand was all the more likely to join another group as it formed a more profitable subsidiary than Match, Smatch and Cora. By taking over this network Delhaize not only brings together, 157 years later, the two branches of the Delhaize family. Jules and Auguste Delhaize founded their company in 1867, their brother Louis launched his three years later. The operation effectively redistributes the cards of local networks. In this type of small stores, Carrefour has taken the lead with Carrefour Express. Colruyt has clearly displayed its new ambitions with Okay City. But Delhaize, already well established with its Proxy and Shop and Go formulas, is now taking a big leap forward.
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