<p><strong>BRUSSELS, Belgium</strong> - The Delhaize Group is making plans to accelerate company growth and store openings. The first two years of the company's New Game Plan have shown incredible growth, predicting healthy future progress. With the company's recent operations within its new markets in South Eastern Europe and Asia as well as the company's new formats Bottom Dollar Food in the U.S. and Red Market in Europe, Delhaize's revenue and operating profit strategies has seen considerable growth. The company is aiming to attain Group annual revenue growth of 5% to 7% within three years and generate added gross cost savings to support sales building initiatives. The recent acquisition of Delta Maxi, has also strengthened the company's groundwork. The rewarding results of Bottom Dollar Food in the Philadelphia market is encouraging plans to expand in additional markets with similar growth profiles. Potentially, hundreds of Bottom Dollar Food stores will be established in the next five years. Delhaize Group anticipates opening an estimated 450 stores from 2012 to 2014.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The end of the second quarter of 2011 marks the halfway point in the company's three year period to generate EUR 500 million in annual gross cost savings. Delhaize Group predicts it will surpass this target, allowing it to invest more in sales building strategies. Pierre-Olivier Beckers, President and Chief Executive Officer of Delhaize Group, comments, "We are confident that our Group will be able to seize the many opportunities that come with the challenging environment we operate in. While we continue to be focused on the disciplined execution of the many projects that are ongoing, we are ready to accelerate our store opening plans."</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>www.delhaizegroup.com</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
