Ahold, Delhaize File Joint Merger Proposal

Ahold and Delhaize Group have filed the common draft terms of their cross-border merger. 

Delhaize filed the proposal on Jan. 15 at the Brussels Commercial Court, as one of the required steps before the companies’ respective extraordinary general meetings of shareholders convene sometime during the first half of 2016.

Last June, Ahold and Delhaize Group revealed their merger plans, ending months of speculation on the topic. The resulting international company will feature “a portfolio of strong, trusted local brands and more than 375,000 associates serving more than 50 million customers each week in the United States and Europe,” according to the retailers.

The transaction is expected to wrap up by mid-2016, following associate consultation procedures, shareholder approval and regulatory clearances.