Delhaize Group and BI-LO Agree on Non-Binding Offer for Food Lion To Acquire Certain BI-LO Assets

Delhaize Group and BI-LO Agree on Non-Binding Offer for Food Lion To Acquire
Certain BI-LO Assets

BRUSSELS, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Delhaize Group (Euronext Brussels:
DELB - NYSE: DEG), the Belgian international food retailer, announced today
that it has entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent with BI-LO, LLC to
acquire a substantial majority of BI-LO's assets, including associated
inventory, for a purchase price of USD 425 million in cash. This announcement
was made in the context of BI-LO's bankruptcy proceedings in the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Carolina.

BI-LO is a food retailer that currently operates 214 stores in North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia and employs approximately 15,500 people.
The company is headquartered in Mauldin, S.C. On March 23, 2009, BI-LO and
certain of its affiliates filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter
11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court
for the District of South Carolina. The included BI-LO assets are estimated to
have realized over USD 2 billion in sales in 2008.

Rick Anicetti, Executive Vice President of Delhaize Group and President and
CEO of Food Lion, LLC, said: "We at Food Lion, LLC have great admiration for
the associates and stores at BI-LO. We believe our markets and service
philosophy are complementary and we look forward to continuing our discussions
with BI-LO."

The non-binding offer is subject to the satisfactory completion of the
customary steps for such an acquisition including certain Bankruptcy Court
approvals. Delhaize Group and BI-LO intend to close the transaction shortly
after obtaining the entry of a final non-appealable sale order of the
bankruptcy court pursuant to Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code,
authorizing the transfer of the purchased assets to Food Lion. It is the
intent of Delhaize Group to integrate the included BI-LO assets in the network
of its wholly owned subsidiary Food Lion, LLC. Food Lion, LLC is a food
retailer that has more than 1,300 stores in 11 U.S. states and has more than
74,000 associates.

Delhaize Group

Delhaize Group is a Belgian international food retailer present in six
countries on three continents. At the end of the second quarter of 2009,
Delhaize Group's sales network consisted of 2,684 stores. In 2008, Delhaize
Group posted EUR 19 billion (USD 28 billion) in revenues and EUR 467 million
(USD 687 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.

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.

SOURCE Delhaize Group

Geert Verellen, +32-2-412-83-62, or Barbera Hoppenbrouwers (media),
+32-2-412-86-69, or Christy Phillips-Brown (U.S. media), +1-704-633-8250 (ext.
2221), or Amy Shue (U.S. investors), +1-704-633-8250 (ext. 2529), all for
Delhaize Group