SALISBURY — Delhaize America, the parent company of Food Lion and Hannaford supermarkets, has announced the layoffs of “a small percentage” of its corporate headquarters staff in light of Delhaize’s merger with Ahold last July, according to company spokeswoman Christy Phillips-Brown.

Phillips-Brown said Thursday she was unable to specify how many people were laid off because some of the employees chose to leave the company even though they were offered other jobs.

She said employment at Delhaize America’s corporate headquarters, at 2110 Executive Drive in Salisbury, has remained at about 1,800 people.

Retail and distribution jobs were not affected.

Phillips-Brown said a “small” number of people in corporate support functions that worked with the Food Lion brand were laid off.

Associates who were not offered a position when “staffing and selections for corporate support functions” were finalized had two options, she said.

They could apply for another job in the company, of which Phillips-Brown said there were “a number” to choose from, or they could look for another job.

Phillips-Brown said Delhaize America employees are offered a “very, very robust” severance package.

After employees are notified of layoffs, they are employed with the company for a minimum of 90 more days. They are then paid for another 90 days while they look for another job. After that 180-day period, the severance package starts.

Phillips-Brown said more positions have been added to the private brand and digital departments.

She said more job openings will be posted at the beginning of next year.

In an emailed statement, Phillips-Brown said, “Food Lion continues to remain committed to the Salisbury community and to maintaining a strong employment base in Salisbury.”

Contact reporter Jessica Coates at 704-797-4222.