BELGIUM: Ahold and Delhaize in preliminary merger talks | Progresiv
Dutch retailer Ahold and Belgian supermarket chain Delhaize have begun discussions at the highest level on a possible merger, Belgian newspapers reported, cited by Reuters. The reports in financial newspapers De Tijd and L'Echo, quoting several unnamed sources, said the talks had just started and were in a preliminary phase. Ahold spokesman Tim van der Zanden said: "We do not comment on market rumors." Delhaize spokesman Charles Davis also said the company did not comment on market rumors. Delhaize has for years been cited by analysts as a potential merger partner for Ahold and, according to L'Echo, the two companies held very advanced negotiations in 2006 and 2007. Ahold has a market capitalization of 15.5 billion euros, double that of Delhaize with 7.53 billion euros. (www.freshplaza.com) 
