GlobeNewswire Inc | Jan 5, 2021 10:00AM EST

January 05, 2021

Zaandam, the Netherlands, January5, 2021 Ahold Delhaize andCenterbridgePartnersare pleased toannounce today thatthey have closed the acquisitionofNew York City-based onlinegrocerFreshDirectafter receiving regulatory clearancefrom the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.Throughtheacquisition, which waspreviouslyannouncedon November 18, 2020,Ahold Delhaize acquires the majority share, funded by cash on hand, andCenterbridgePartners is a minority equity investor with a 20% stake.Financial terms of the deal were notdisclosed.

As previously announced,FreshDirectwill retain its brand name and continue to independently operate out of its facility in New York City.

Frans Muller, Ahold Delhaizes Chief Executive Officer, said, We are very pleased that we can now definitively welcomeFreshDirecttoour family of great local brands. This leading localonlinebrand with alarge and loyalfollowingwillhelp us reachadditionalcustomers in the New York trade area and further propel our omni-channel evolution.We are looking forward toworkingwithour newFreshDirectcolleagues.

David McInerney,FreshDirectsChief Executive Officer, said,"Todaymarks thebeginning of an exciting new eraforFreshDirect.Ahold Delhaize willbuild onFreshDirectssuccess, ensuringthecontinuedgrowthof our company, whilecreating synergy and maintaining the uniqueness of the brand.I am thankful to our loyal and devoted customers, many of whom have been with us since the beginning, and very proud of and grateful for theFreshDirectteam, which has worked tirelessly over the years to make our company a leader in the field.TheentireFreshDirectteamlooks forward toworking together with our new Ahold Delhaize colleagues.

Steve Silver, Senior Managing Director atCenterbridgePartners, said, We are excited to start this new partnership with Ahold Delhaize, in which we can utilize our experience in the interplay between logistics facilities and e-commerce fulfillment in order forFreshDirectto grow further.

Cautionary Notice

This communication includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Words and expressions such as acquires, remains, unchanged, will, retain, continue, definitively, reach, further, propel, looking forward, marks, beginning, ensuring, grow(th), maintaining, looks forward or other similar words or expressions are typically used to identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and that may cause actual results ofKoninklijkeAhold Delhaize N.V. (the Company) to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in the Companys public filings and other disclosures. Forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the Companys management and assumptions based on information currently available to the Companys management. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they aremadeand the Company does not assume any obligation to update such statements, except as required by law.

For more information:

Press office:+31 88 659 5134Investor relations:+31 88 659 5213Social media: Twitter:@AholdDelhaizeYouTube: @AholdDelhaize

LinkedIn:@Ahold-Delhaize



About AholdDelhaizeAholdDelhaize is one of the worlds largest food retail groups and a leader in both supermarkets and e-Commerce. Its family of great, local brands serves 54 million customers each week in Europe, the United States, and Indonesia. Together, these brands employ more than 380,000 associates in 6,967 grocery and specialty stores and include the top online retailer in the Benelux and the leading online grocers in the Benelux and the United States. Ahold Delhaize brands are at the forefront of sustainable retailing, sourcing responsibly, supporting local communities and helping customers make healthier choices. Headquartered in Zaandam, the Netherlands, Ahold Delhaize is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam and Brussels stock exchanges (ticker: AD) and its American Depositary Receipts are traded on the over-the-counter market in the U.S. and quoted on the OTCQX International marketplace (ticker: ADRNY). For more information, please visitwww.aholddelhaize.com.

AboutFreshDirectFreshDirectis a leading online fresh food grocer, delivering directly to customers throughout seven states, including the New York City and Philadelphia metropolitan areas, and the District of Columbia.FreshDirectis committed to sourcing the freshest and best-tasting meat, fish, produce, and specialty items through direct relationships with suppliers, growers, and farmers. Launched in 2002,FreshDirectis a privately held company headquartered in The Bronx, NY. Principal long-term investors inFreshDirectinclude Brightwood Capital Advisors, Maverick Capital and W Capital Partners. For more information, visitwww.freshdirect.com.

AboutCenterbridgePartnersCenterbridgePartners, L.P. is a private investment management firm employing a flexible approach across investment disciplinesfrom private equity to credit and related strategies, and real estatein an effort tofind the most attractive opportunities for our investors and business partners. The Firm was founded in 2005 and as of June 30, 2020 has approximately $26 billion in capital under management with offices in New York and London.Centerbridgeis dedicated to partnering with world-class management teams across targeted industry sectors and geographies to help companies achieve their operating and financial objectives. For more information, please visitwww.centerbridge.com.