The Financial Times writes that Ahold drops its plan to merge with the Belgian retailer Delhaize. The newspaper is citing sources familiar with the situation. Talks between Ahold and Delhaize stopped before Ahold announced that it will sell US Foodservice. Analysts said to The Financial Times that this move is of major importance to avoid regulatory problems, should Ahold and Delhaize merge.

An Ahold spokesperson declined any comment this morning and so did his colleague from Delhaize. During last Monday’s press conference outlining Ahold’s new strategy, Ahold’s management also would not comment nor confirm that talks with Delhaize had ever taken place. The sale of US Foodservice and Ahold’s withdrawal from the Polish and Slovakian markets, means that there is more perspective of a merger of equals. Reducing the size of the larger Ahold is something Delhaize was said to require.