BRUSSELS, Belgium, May 24, 2012 - Delhaize Group (Euronext Brussels: DELB, NYSE: DEG), the Belgian international food retailer, announced today that during its Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting its shareholders have approved the annual accounts for fiscal year 2011 and the distribution of a EUR 1.76 gross dividend per share. After deduction of a 25% withholding tax, this results in a net dividend of EUR 1.32 per share.
The 2011 dividend will become payable to owners of ordinary shares against coupon no. 50. The Delhaize Group shares will start trading ex-coupon on May 29, 2012 (opening of the market). The record date (i.e. the date at which shareholders are entitled to the dividend) is May 31, 2012 (closing of the market) and the dividend will be payable as from June 1, 2012. The ADR dividend record date is May 31, 2012 and the payment of the dividend to Delhaize Group's ADR holders will be made through Citibank beginning on June 6, 2012.
During the Shareholders Meeting, Delhaize Group's President and Chief Executive Officer, Pierre-Olivier Beckers, confirmed the previously announced guidance for the full year 2012.
The shareholders approved the appointment of Ms. Shari Ballard as independent director for a term of three years. The shareholders also approved the renewal of the mandate of Ms. Claire H. Babrowski as an independent director for a term of four years and the renewal of the mandates of Mr. Pierre-Olivier Beckers and Mr. Didier Smits, each for a term of three years.
The speeches and presentations, the minutes of the Meeting and the results of the votes will be made available on the Delhaize Group website (www.delhaizegroup.com (file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/nj/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/257P1SSX/www.delhaizegroup.com)) in the coming days.
» Delhaize Group
Delhaize Group is a Belgian international food retailer present in eleven countries on three continents. At the end of the first quarter of 2012, Delhaize Group's sales network consisted of 3 309 stores. In 2011, Delhaize Group posted EUR 21.1 billion (USD 29.4 billion) in revenues and EUR 475 million (USD 661 million) in net profit (Group share). At the end of 2011, Delhaize Group employed approximately 160 000 people. Delhaize Group's stock is listed on NYSE Euronext Brussels (DELB) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEG).
This press release is available in English, French and Dutch. You can also find it on the website http://www.delhaizegroup.com (http://www.delhaizegroup.com/). Questions can be sent to investor@delhaizegroup.com.
» Contacts
Chris Farrell: + 32 2 412 75 71
Aurélie Bultynck: + 32 2 412 83 61
Steven Vandenbroeke (media): +32 2 412 86 69
Amy Shue (U.S. investors): +1 704 633 82 50 (ext. 2529)
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Source: Delhaize Group via Thomson Reuters ONE
