Albert Heijn store Ahold

Retailers Ahold and Delhaize Group have announced that they have called Extraordinary General Meetings (EGM) for 14 March 2016, at which their respective shareholders will consider and vote on the proposal to approve the companies' intended merger.

Ahold's EGM will be held at Amsterdam RAI, while the Delhaize Group's EGM will be held at the Proximus Lounge in Brussels.

On 24 June 2015, Ahold and Delhaize announced their intention to merge, creating an international retailer with more than 6,500 stores. The combined company, Ahold Delhaize, will bring together a portfolio of strong, trusted local brands and more than 375,000 associates serving more than 50 million customers each week in the United States and Europe.

The transaction is expected to be completed in mid-2016, following associate consultation procedures, shareholder approval and regulatory clearances.