Belgium-based retailer Delhaize Group, which runs chains including Food Lion and Hannaford in the US, is to cut 500 jobs from its business across the Atlantic.

The posts include 150 open positions across its US unit, a spokesperson for Delhaize America told just-food.

“These decisions were carefully considered and made with the ultimate goal of serving our customers, growing our business and creating shareholder value,” she said.

Delhaize saw its sales in the US come under pressure in 2012. Its comparable-store sales fell 0.8%.

The retailer has yet to publish its profits for 2012 but, in the period to the end of September, it booked a 19% slide in operating profit for its US business.

In December, it shook up its management team in the US, including appointing new presidents for its Food Lion, Hannaford and Sweetbay chains.

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Delhaize will report its full-year financial results for 2012 next month.

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