A Dutch-Belgian supermarket merger between Ahold and Delhaize is to create the sixth-biggest chain in the USA, and the biggest in the Benelux region.<br /><br /> Ahold will be the dominant partner in the new entity, which will have more than 6,500 stores worldwide, and sales of over 54 billion euros.<br /><br /> Ahold shareholders appear to be getting a good deal, paying only a 27% premium for the Delhaize buyout, and getting a billion euros cashback in their pockets.<br /><br /> Substantial synergy savings are expected by year three, and there will be additional savings in distribution and supply chain integration.
