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 notificationof the threshold of 5% being crossed by Silchester International Investors LLP which owns 5.03% of Delhaize Group's voting rights.
On December 10, 2010, Silchester International Investors LLP notified Delhaize Group that as of December 9, 2010 Silchester International Investors LLP owned 5 104 424 Delhaize Group shares, representing 5.03% of its voting rights.
This is an increase of 125 731 shares compared to the previous notification of ownership of 4 978 693 shares received on November 5, 2010.
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 therefore 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 third quarter of 2010, Delhaize Group's sales network consisted of 2 760 stores. In 2009, Delhaize Group posted EUR 19.9 billion (USD 27.8 billion) in revenues and EUR 514 million (USD 717 million) in net profit (Group share). At the end of 2009, Delhaize Group employed approximately 138 000 people. Delhaize Group's stock is listed on 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 . Questions can be sent to investor@delhaizegroup.com.
Press release in pdf format: http://hugin.info/133961/R/1472341/409007.pdf
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Source: Delhaize Group via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1472341]
Contacts Geert Verellen: + 32 2 412 83 62 Aurelie Bultynck: + 32 2 412 83 61