20260127_Press_release_3_BCA.pdf (This hyperlink opens a new window)

20260127_Press_release_3_BCA.pdf (This hyperlink opens a new window)

City Atrium T +32 2 277 52 72 info@bma - abc.be Rue du Progrès 50 http://www.belgiancompetition.be 1210 Brussels PRESS RELEASE N° 3 /202 6 2 7 January 2026 The Belgian Competition Authority approves Delhaize ’ s acquisition of Delfood and the Louis Delhaize retail chain, under conditions On 26 January 2026, the Belgian Competition Authority ("BCA") approved the acquisition by Delhaize of Delfood, owner of the Louis Delhaize retail chain subject to , among other conditions, the divestment of a number of proximity stores and petrol station shops in certain local markets. Delhaize is a Belgian company active in the distribution of food and other daily consumer goods in retail stores operated mainly under franchise . Delhaize's 745 stores are operated under various brands , namely AD Delhaize, Proxy Delhaize and Shop&Go Delhaize. Delfood is a Belgian company active in the distribution of food and other daily consumer goods, both at wholesale and retail level, mainly through the Louis Delhaize chain . The Louis Delhaize network consists of 322 stores. Some of these stores are operated by franchisees. Other shops have a supply agreement or operate under a framework agreement concluded through a petrol station network. The transaction in question pertains to the acquisition of the entirety of Delfood’s activities by Delhaize, including the Louis Delhaize retail network but also its wholesale activities. Given the respective and combined turnover of Delfood and Delhaize, the transaction was subject to prior approval by the BCA under merger control. Given the respective activities of Delhaize and Delfood, t he acquisition was scrutinized from the point of view of its possible impact on (i) the Belgian market for the wholesale distribution of food and non - food products, (ii) the local markets for the retail distribution of everyday consumer goods in proximity stores , and (iii) the local markets for the retail distribution of everyday consumer goods in petrol station shops outside motorways. The notion of 'local market' refers in this context to a s tore 's catchment area , i.e., the geographical area within which a store attracts the majority of its customers and where the store generates most of its revenues . During the merger control review process , particular attention was paid to the possible impact of the transaction on prices and the quality of supply at retail level, as well as to the impact on stores supplied by Delhaize or Delfood while not under their control . Delhaize and Delfood are direct competitors in the market for the sale of everyday consumer goods in proximity stores and petrol station shops. The loss of competition between the two retail chains eliminates significant competitive pressure in some local markets. The loss of competitive pressure is not sufficiently offset by other competing stores . In addition, the investigation of the transaction also revealed concerns about the situation of stores supplied by Delhaize or Delfood. City Atrium T +32 2 277 52 72 info@bma - abc.be Rue du Progrès 50 http://www.belgiancompetition.be 1210 Brussels Due to t hese potential negative competitive effects , t he BCA concluded that there were serious doubts about the admissibility of the transaction. These serious doubts were communicated to Delhaize, which subsequently offered commitments to address the BCA's concerns. The commitments include, in particular, the divestment to another franchisor of a number of proximity stores and petrol station shops in certain local markets. The commitments further provide that o ther stores, which are supplied or commercially supervised by Delhaize or Delfood , will be granted more contractual freedom vis - à - vis Delhaize. This will allow them to compete freely with shops belonging to the Delhaize retail networks. Stores supplied by Delhaize or Delfood without belonging to their franchise network s will also be guaranteed fair, reasonable and non - discriminatory supply conditions , in line with existing supply conditions . Finally, if Delhaize wishes to integrate certain stores under supply contract within its own franchise network s , it will first h ave to seek the authorization of the BCA . This will enable the BCA to verify whether the inclusion of the store(s) in question in the Delhaize franchise networks could lead to excessive concentration in certain local supply areas. Following a thorough analysis, the commitments were deemed sufficient to remove the BCA’s concerns , which enabled the approval of the transaction . For more information , please contact: Axel Desmedt - President Tel: + 32 (2) 277 92 80 E - mail: axel.desmedt @bma - abc.be The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) is an independent administrative authority that contributes to the definition and implementation of competition policy in Belgium. Concretely, the BCA pursues anti - competitive practices, such as cartels and abuses of a dominant position, and reviews the main merger operations. The BCA cooperates with the other competition authorities of the member states of the European Union and the European Commission within the European Competition Network (ECN) .

Delhaize's Acquisition of Delfood Approved with Conditions

On January 26, 2026, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) approved Delhaize's acquisition of Delfood, which includes the Louis Delhaize retail chain, but imposed conditions to ensure competition in local markets.

 The approval comes after a thorough review of the potential impact on the wholesale distribution of food and non-food products, as well as retail distribution in proximity stores and petrol station shops.

 Delhaize and Delfood are direct competitors, and the merger raised concerns about reduced competition in certain local markets. To address these concerns, Delhaize offered commitments, including divesting some stores and ensuring fair supply conditions for stores not under its control.

 The BCA found these commitments sufficient to alleviate its concerns, allowing the transaction to proceed while maintaining competitive pressure in the market.



Delhaize's Acquisition of Delfood Approved with Conditions

The Belgian Competition Authority has approved Delhaize's acquisition of Delfood, subject to conditions including the divestment of certain stores to maintain competition.