Dutch retail giant Ahold has announced that it has successfully completed the sale of Deli XL, its delivered foodservice wholesale subsidiary in the Benelux, to an affiliate of Bidvest Group, a South Africa-based company with a strong presence in the foodservice industry in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
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Ahold and Bidvest announced the transaction on 15 July 2005. The closing was subject to customary price adjustments and the fulfilment of certain conditions, including antitrust approval.
“The divestment of Deli XL marks an important step towards finalising our divestment program,” said Ahold president and CEO Anders Moberg at the time. “Our strategy for the Dutch business is targeted on its retail activities. The investment and management attention needed to assume a greater role in European foodservice is inconsistent with this focus. We therefore believe that Deli XL’s potential in the out of home food market can better be realized under an owner such as Bidvest. We are confident that this buyer is committed to pursue the further improvement and development of Deli XL and its staff.”
