Supermarket giant Ahold confirms talks with Belgium’s Delhaize
Dutch supermarket group Ahold on Tuesday confirmed media speculation and said it is in ‘preliminary discussions with Delhaize Group to explore the opportunity of combining the two companies’.
‘These discussions may or may not result in a future transaction,’ the short statement said. ‘The company will communicate material updates, if any, in accordance with regulatory requirements.’
Belgian newspapers said at the weekend that talks are under way between the two companies.
According to Rabobank, a merger would generate savings of €1bn a year and create one of the five biggest supermarket groups in the world.
Dutch market leader Ahold has 30 Albert Heijn shops in Belgium, while Delhaize has a 22% market share. Both companies are also active in the US.
The news boosted shares in both companies on Monday and on Tuesday.
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