Belgium-based retailer Delhaize is reportedly planning to sell two of its US chains.
According to reports, Delhaize has hired Lazard Ltd to help sell its Harvey's and Sweetbay chains. Chief executive officer Pierre-Olivier Beckers said that the company was looking at various options for the units as it seeks to cut costs in the region but would not comment if advisors had been engaged to conduct the sale.
Harveys, operating 73 supermarkets in Florida, South Carolina and Georgia, focuses on selling regional and fresh products. Sweetbay, Sweetbay Supermarket was launched in November 2004 in Largo and had 105 stores in Florida at the end of 2012. Delhaize announced in January that it would close 34 loss-making Sweetbay stores.
Around 65% of Delhaize's 2012 revenue of €22.7 billion was generated in US sales, mainly through its Food Lion and Hannaford chains. Along with other traditional grocery chains in the US, Delhaize has come under pressure in recent times, with the popularity of discounters such as Costco Wholesale Corp growing as American shoppers' budgets have dwindled.
