Delhaize to restructure U.S. operations as revenues slide

SALISBURY, N.C. Revenues for Delhaize America fell nearly 3% to $4.7 billion, the retail giant announced Thursday.

Same-store sales for Delhaize also dropped 3.6%, compared with the year-ago period. During the first six months of 2010, operating profit of Delhaize's U.S. segment decreased by 12.8% to $459 million. Delhaize announced that part of the company's savings plan, Delhaize Group will form single procurement organization for its U.S. operations, which will combine all Delhaize America's buying functions into a stronger and unified entity, Delhaize said. The new organization will support the U.S. banners with assortment and promotions planning and execution, sourcing and procurement, private brand management and pricing expertise.

"The U.S. economic environment remains very challenging, especially in the Southeast and Florida, and consumer behavior is characterized by prudent spending and cherry-picking. Private-brand penetration continued to increase compared with last year at our U.S. operations," the company said in its financial release.

Delhaize America is a leading supermarket operator in the United States with over 1 500 stores in 16 states in the eastern United States