Delhaize Reports Strong 4Q Results

Brussels, Belgium Delhaize Group said Friday that sales grew in its fourth quarter as the company rolled out store brands and offering steep sales to keep shoppers away from competitors.

Same-store sales in the United States rose by 2.9% in the quarter, the company said. According to Bloomberg News, analysts were predicting 2.2% growth.

In a statement, CEO Pierre-Olivier Beckers said the company's U.S. operations "continued good revenue momentum" in the fourth quarter.

Beckers said shoppers turned to Food Lion for inexpensive, private-brand material. And the company plans a cost-cutting program that will, in part, be reinvested so Food Lion can keep prices low in 2009.