Delhaize disclosure of major shareholding

BRUSSELS, Belgium, July 6, 2011 – Pursuant to the Belgian Law of May 2, 2007 relating to the publication of major shareholdings in listed companies, Delhaize Group (Euronext Brussels: DELB - NYSE: DEG), the Belgian international food retailer, has received a notification of the threshold of 5% being crossed by Silchester International Investors LLP which owns 5.03% of Delhaize Group’s voting rights.

On July 1, 2011, Silchester International Investors LLPnotified Delhaize Group that as of June 29, 2011 Silchester International Investors LLPowned 5 126 682 Delhaize Group shares, representing 5.03% of its voting rights.
 
This is an increase of 56 120 shares compared to the previous notification of ownership of 5 070 562 shares received on March 22, 2011.
 
Silchester International Investors LLP is controlled by Silchester Partners Limited, which holds over 90% of its capital interests. Stephen C. Butt, Silchester’s Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, and his family control approximately 50.5% of the shares of Silchester Partners Limited.
 
Silchester International Investors LLP acts as the fully discretionary investment manager for a number of funds, such as Silchester International Investors International Value Equity Taxable Trust, Silchester International Investors International Value Equity Group Trust, Silchester International Investors Tobacco Free International Value Equity Trust, Silchester International Investors International Value Equity Trust and The Cavella Trust.
 
Silchester International Investors LLP has sole and exclusive proxy voting authority over the Delhaize Group voting rights that are the subject of this disclosure. The notification mentioned however that Silchester International Investors LLP does not act as custodian and that the Delhaize Group shares are not held in its name.

Delhaize Group

Delhaize Group is a Belgian international food retailer present in six countries on three continents. At the end of the first quarter of 2011, Delhaize Group’s sales network consisted of 2 816 stores. In 2010, Delhaize Group posted EUR 20.8 billion (USD 27.6 billion) in revenues and EUR 574 million (USD 762 million) in net profit (Group share). At the end of 2010, Delhaize Group employed approximately 138 600 people. Delhaize Group’s stock is listed on NYSE Euronext Brussels (DELB) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEG).