Delhaize sees 1Q growth at U.S. stores

BRUSSELS Delhaize reported that in the first quarter of 2009, revenues from its operations in the United States grew by 2% to $4.7 billion. Revenue growth was supported by solid comparable-store sales growth of 2% excluding the impact of Easter which was in the first quarter last year but in the second quarter this year.

In the first quarter of 2009, Delhaize U.S. grew operating profit by 10.4% in local currency and the operating margin increased to 5.7% of revenues (5.2% in the first quarter of 2008).