Several Northeast retailers are set to gain stores as a result of the proposed divestiture between Ahold and the Delhaize Group. Last week, the two European-based super-retailers reached agreements with buyers to divest a total of 86 U.S. stores in areas where both companies operate stores. The deals are being made in connection with the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) pending review of the proposed merger between the two companies. All of the purchase agreements are subject to FTC approval and formal completion of the Ahold and Delhaize Group merger, which the companies continue to expect before the end of July.
From Delhaize, Weis Markets has agreed to purchase 38 Food Lion stores in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, and Saubel’s Markets in Pennsylvania will purchase one Food Lion store in York, Pennsylvania.
Big Y will purchase eight Hannaford stores in Massachusetts, and Tops Markets will purchase one Stop & Shop store in Massachusetts as well as three Stop & Shop and two Hannaford stores in New York.
The other purchasers are Supervalu—22 Food Lions in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia; Publix Super Markets—10 Martin’s stores in Virginia; and New Albertson’s Inc.—one Giant Food store in Salisbury, Maryland.
In March, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) granted its conditional approval for the merger. Also in March, shareholders of both companies approved the merger with an overwhelming majority.
