in major fund drives, supported by the employees and management
alike. BI-LO, for example, raises more than $750,000 for United Way
each year, with much of the money contributed directly bv BI-LO
employees. BI-LO and the other American subsidiaries also support
initiatives in such areas as health care, child care and famine relief.
In I he Netherlands, consequences of the war in former
Jugoslavia stimulated many relief activities in our stores.
Royal Ahold also provides support on a corporate level. Its
contributions in the form of donations and sponsoring focus on
three major areas: education, health care and the arts.
The company strives to kindle more interest in retail trade and
distribution on a scientific level as an area of special attention.
To this end, Ahold makes financial contributions available to post
graduate and university students through the Albert Heijn Study
Fund. For college and university students, the Ahold Thesis Prize
was created. In addition, Ahold partly endowes special chairs in
retailing and related subjects at several universities in the United
States and 1 he Netherlands. Senior managers also make time
available as guest lecturers.
In the domain of medical research, Ahold contributes to the
European Cancer Center, which in 1995, among others, supported
work by a Portuguese scientist in the field of clinical hematology.
Royal Ahold also funds various activities in the arts on national and
international levels.
Last year Ahold once again supported the Holland Festival,
a forum for innovation in the realm of theater, dance, ballet and
opera. Exhibitions at various museums also won Ahold support
in 1995.
Ahold managers are actively involved on the boards and
in working committees of various national and international trade
organizations in The Netherlands, the United States and Brussels.
Government relations are conducted by Ahold's own Public Affairs
group, which also supports the various trade organizations. In 1995,
Ahold I ublic Affairs were involved in a broad range of important
issues, including store business hours in The Netherlands, restric
tions on phai maceutical retailing, agricultural developments,
solutions to urban congestion and product labeling.
Many of Ahold's stores are located in city centers and neighbor
hoods. The group works closely with urban officials to assure
accessibility of delivery and the health of inner city economies.
There is growing concern regarding the rise in crime in and
around some of the stores. This causes insecurity both among
employees and customers. Ahold is actively involved with govern
ment and other agencies in combatting this problem.
In the sphere of environmental care, each of Ahold's operating
companies now has its own environmental coordinator or has access
to the resources of an affiliated company to implement various
environmental care programs. Technical assistance and group-wide
coordination is provided by the Ahold Environmental Affairs
Department.
I he env ironmental efforts of the various companies reflect
local concerns and priorities. In the United States, 1995 efforts,
among others, were focused on further reducing energy consump
tion, with positive results. Recycling of packaging materials and
consumer information on environmentally friendly products had
also priority. A common commitment throughout the group to
reducing packaging materials made itself best felt in private label
programs. In addition, Ahold subsidiaries everywhere focused on
increasing distribution efficiency.
In the inner city of Cleveland, Ohio, the assortments
at Finast supermarkets are closely matched
to the preferences of the local population.
22 Annual Report 1995 Royal Ahold
