By Maarten van Tartwijk

Belgian food retailer Delhaize Group (DELB.BT) on Thursday reported a 9% rise in third-quarter net profit, as currency gains helped to offset slowing sales trends the U.S.

Delhaize, which has agreed to be acquired by Dutch peer Ahold NV (AHONY) in a $29 billion tie-up, said net profit was 118 million euro ($130 million) in the period, compared with EUR109 million in the corresponding period a year earlier. Sales rose 15% to EUR6.14 billion, boosted by the weakening euro against the dollar.

The Belgian company, which generates around 70% of its sales in the U.S., said its Food Lion and Hannaford chains recorded 1.7% same-store sales growth, a slowdown compared with the previous quarter. Revenue growth in U.S. was 20% at constant exchange rates, but flat in dollar terms. In Belgium, where Delhaize has resolved a lengthy dispute with labor unions, same-store sales returned to growth of 1.7% after several quarters of decline.

Delhaize also said the merger with Ahold is on track for completion by mid-2016.

-Write to Maarten van Tartwijk at maarten.vantartwijk@wsj.com

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 29, 2015 02:46 ET (06:46 GMT)