Belgium. Delhaize to franchise integrated supermarkets due to declining profitability

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A call for strike action in the entire Belgian retail sector has been made for 17 April. It follows the announcement on 7 March of the project of Ahold Delhaize (turnover 2022 of €87 billion, +15%): the group wants to sell 128 integrated supermarkets under the Delhaize banner (out of 764) in Belgium to independent affiliates. This cost-cutting approach, also adopted by Mestdagh, pleased investors. Over 2 weeks the share price rose by 2.4%. However, the announcement is less pleasing to the 9,200

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