Dutch retail giant Ahold and its Belgian rival Delhaize are on the verge of a merger announcement to create one of the world's largest retail companies, Dutch financial daily Het Financieele Dagblad reported on Tuesday. Citing sources close to the deal, the FD said Tuesday afternoon a merger could be announced as early as Thursday or Friday.
Ahold is to hold a 60 percent stake in the new venture and Delhaize 40 percent, the paper said. Responding to media reports, Ahold, which owns Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn said in a statement it and Delhaize were "in the final stages of negotiations."