Ahold sees 3Q growth in U.S. segments

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands Ahold today reported that total sales for its U.S. division for the third quarter 2007 were $4.7 billion, compared with net sales of $4.6 billion last year.

Net sales at Ahold's Stop & Shop / Giant-Landover stores were up 0.3% to $3.7 billion. Identical sales increased 1.2% at Stop & Shop (1.0% excluding gasoline net sales) and decreased 1.8% at Giant-Landover. Comparable sales increased 1.7% at Stop & Shop and decreased 1.6% at Giant-Landover.

Ahold's Giant-Carlisle stores performed slightly better with net sales increasing 13.1% to $1 billion, due in part to the acquisition of the Clemens Markets stores in the fourth quarter of 2006. Identical sales increased 2.5% (2.3% excluding gasoline net sales). Comparable sales rose 3.7%

In statement released on the third quarter results, Ahold commented that price investments related to the further roll-out of the Value Improvement Program, launched in September 2006 at Stop & Shop and Giant-Landover, will continue to impact margins. At Giant-Carlisle, seasonally low sales will also be reflected in margins.