Ahold Delhaize

LANDOVER, Md. - In conjunction with the kickoff of National Food Safety Education Month in September, Giant Food has launched an effort to offer consumers back-to-school food tips for keeping lunches safe.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. - Food Lion is opening the second iteration of its consumer-centric concept, Bloom, today in Mooresville, N.C., a highly competitive Charlotte suburb that includes two supercenters and four supermarkets.

NEW YORK - Multiple bids have been submitted to buy Mauldin, South Carolina-based Bi-Lo, and the sale is expected to happen by year's end, according to a published report. However, analysts speculate on whether the winning bidder will be a supermarket company.

WAYNE, N.J. - Toys 'R' Us, Inc., struggling with competition from Wal-Mart and other discounters, said yesterday that it's considering selling its toy retailing to focus on its better-performing Babies 'R' Us unit.

CHICAGO - Leading Internet grocer Peapod, LLC, and Giant Food, both divisions of Ahold, yesterday announced the expansion of their online ordering and delivery service to the Baltimore area, with delivery set to begin Aug. 17.

BANGKOK - On the heels of its strong second-quarter financial results, Brussels-based Delhaize Group, parent company of the Food Lion supermarket chain, said late last week that the company will shut down its money-losing Thailand operations after a seven-year attempt to penetrate the retail food market there.

BRUSSELS - Delhaize Group cited better sales and tighter cost controls yesterday as it reported its second-quarter results, which included net earnings of EUR 81.9 million ($98.3 million), compared to EUR 9.3 million the previous year.

ZAANDAM, the Netherlands - Ahold has appointed Alex Gibbons as its chief information officer, effective Aug. 1, 2004.