Sep 27, 2004 12:38 PM, from staff and wire reports

The Belgium-based grocer Delhaize Group has acquired Victory Super Markets through its Hannaford supermarket chain subsidiary in the United States.

This transaction. which is set to close in fourth-quarter 2004, includes 19 supermarkets and is valued at $175 million. According to Delhaize, the purchase bolsters Hannaford’s market presence in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Delhaize Group is the parent company of Salisbury NC-based Delhaize America, which serves as the holding company for the grocery chains Hannaford, Food Lion, and Kash n’ Karry.