SINT-JANS-MOLENBEEK - The Delhaize Group has released its Annual Report for 2014 in an interactive format, containing a range of aspects from professional outlooks and interviews to the bottom line.
"Our Annual Report 2014 highlights our performance and underscores our commitment to deliver on our Purpose: to operate our customers' preferred local supermarkets and work together to support that ambition," Frans Muller, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Delhaize Group, commented in a release.
Overall the company saw €21.4 billion ($29.4 billion) in revenues and €89 million ($118 million) in Group Share net profit.
Key highlights for the U.S. included:
- $17.7 billion in U.S. revenue of the company’s global revenue totaling $29.4 billion.
- 1,295 stores in the U.S. of the company’s total 3,402 stores worldwide.
- U.S. stores saw increased customer confidence driven by a number of positive indicators such as an improved job market, lower gas prices and a strengthening real estate market.
Of the company’s total revenue growth, 6.6 percent in local currency was made in the U.S. (4.5 percent excluding the 53rd week) supported by comparable store sales growth of 4.4 percent.
Some of the challenges the company anticipates for 2015 include increased competition from discounters, which the Delhaize group stated will mean that it will be increasingly important to focus on long-term differentiation at both Food Lion and Hannaford stores. It reportedly plans to focus on Food Lion’s new strategy: “Easy, Fresh & Affordable... You Can Count on Food Lion Every Day!” which supported the banner’s positive real sales growth, as well as seeing Hannaford continue to drive home an “advantage in fresh” and emphasize Hannaford’s focus on health.
