Delhaize - sales at identical exchange rates up in Q1

The Belgian international food retailer has announced first quarter 2004 sales of EUR 4.4 billion. The represents a 6 percent drop on the previous year's figures due to the lower value of the US dollar. At identical exchange rates, sales increased by 5.1 per cent. As at end March 2004, the group had a sales network of 2,534 stores, 48 more than at the same time last year.