Delhaize Group has released its financial report for the third quarter (Q3) of 2010, and has revealed that group operating profit climbed 1.2 per cent on the previous year.

Total revenue increased by 0.8 per cent for the three-month period, or 8.6 per cent at actual exchange rates, the group reported.

'During the third quarter, our group posted positive revenue and profit growth and a marked improvement in US comparable store sales as a result of best-in-class performance by Hannaford in the Northeast and improving sales trends at Food Lion,' said Pierre-Olivier Beckers, president and CEO of Delhaize Group. 'The positive trend in the US, combined with strong performances in Belgium and Greece, enables us to generate a healthy and stable operating profit margin.

'Our improved third quarter results, our plans for the rest of the year and the trends we see today, enable us to confirm our 2010 full year operating profit growth guidance as issued on August 13, 2010,' he added.