Delhaize Group Streamlines U.S. Executive Team

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Delhaize Group, the Belgian international food retailer, on Monday announced it is streamlining its senior executive team in a move to further capitalize on the recent share exchange transaction with its major U.S. subsidiary, Delhaize America.

Rick Anicetti, currently president and COO of Food Lion, is being promoted to CEO of Food Lion. Anicetti began his food industry career at sister banner Hannaford Bros. Co. in 1980. He held a progression of roles there and was ultimately named head of the Southeastern operations. Anicetti joined Food Lion in August 2000 as COO and was promoted to president in September 2001.

Both Anicetti and Ron Hodge, CEO of Hannaford, will report directly to Pierre-Olivier Beckers, CEO and president of Delhaize Group. Beckers, group president and CEO since 1999, is on the Board of Directors of the Food Marketing Institute and was elected recently to a two-year term as Chairman of CIES - The Food Business Forum.

Bill McCanless, previously CEO of Delhaize America, will be vice chairman of Delhaize America and will continue to serve on the Delhaize Group Board of Directors. Beckers is assuming the additional title of CEO of Delhaize America.

All changes are effective Sept. 1, 2002.

"The share exchange transaction was designed to create a solid platform for sharing the Group's considerable retail expertise among all of its banners. The streamlining of our senior executive team will give me the opportunity to work directly with the seasoned operators of the Group's two U.S. operating divisions, who together have over 40 years of retail experience," said Beckers. "I look forward to playing a more active role in supporting the growth of our U.S. businesses and in developing the cross banner retail partnerships that will benefit all of our customers, associates and shareholders."

Delhaize America, based in Salisbury, N.C., is one of the leading supermarket retailers in the U.S., operating 1,472 supermarkets under the banners Food Lion, Hannaford and Kash n' Karry.
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