Delhaize announces half year results

Belgian retailer Delhaize has announced first half 2004 sales of EUR 9 billion, a 2.8 percent decrease on the previous year. The company attributed the results to a weakening of the US dollar and the closing of 34 Kash n' Karry stores in the USA. However, net earnings increased by 32.9 percent over the previous year. Delhaize has also said that it intends to sell off its loss-making Thai operations.