Retailers Carrefour and Billa were other potential buyers for the G’market network, according to the sources, but negotiations fell through.
The G’market network consists of three stores in Bucharest and one in Iasi, owned by Gimrom Holding, which is controlled by the Anchor Group. The four stores cumulate a retail area of 7,000 sqm and posted sales of EUR24 million in 2009.
Other Anchor Group operations in Romania include the shopping centers Bucuresti Mall and Plaza Romania.
Anchor Group representatives could not be reached for comment by press time, while Mega Image representatives declined to comment.
Delhaize recently announced plans to invest some EUR50 million in 23 new stores and a warehouse. The Mega Image network was launched in 1995 and it currently includes 72 stores.
Earlier this year, the Belgian group bought Serbia’s largest food retailer, Delta Maxi, for EUR932.5 million.
For 2010, Delhaize Group reported revenue of EUR20.8 billion, up 4.6% on the year.