Ahold grows net income, U.S. market share in Q1

Zaandam, Netherlands – Global grocery conglomerate Ahold N.V. had a successful first quarter of fiscal 2015, reporting growth in overall net income and in U.S. market share. Net income more than quadrupled to $230.74 million from $54.16 million, aided by the elimination of discontinued operations from the same period a year earlier.



Net sales rose 15% to $12.23 billion from $10.64 billion. In the U.S., net sales rose 20% to $7.61 billion from $6.34 billion, aided by Ahold’s third straight quarter of increased market share in the U.S. market. Excluding gasoline, same-store sales rose 0.1%.



Underlying U.S. sales trends were positive. The adverse impact of the timing of Easter was partly offset by additional sales as a consequence of high snowfall levels during the quarter in the Stop & Shop and Giant Carlisle markets. In New England, the trend in market share development improved.



Ahold rolled out its U.S. program to improve its customer proposition to another 183 stores, bringing the total to 704 stores, and the next waves are being deployed in all divisions. During the quarter, Ahold USA announced a restructuring of its support offices, which is to be completed by early summer.



“We are encouraged by the positive momentum in our sales trend, with sales growth of 3.1% excluding gas and at constant exchange rates, despite the adverse timing of Easter,” said Dick Boer, CEO. “We have continued to respond to the changing needs of our customers, by making further price investments, increasing and improving our assortments, expanding our store network, introducing new formats and continuing to strengthen our leading online proposition.”