to being market leader in food safety
they operate, creating a mutually-benefi
cial upward economic spiral. This effort
extends into all the communities Ahold
companies serve and particularly those
with the greatest need. Ahold wants to
provide all customers with a pleasant
shopping experience and to be a good
corporate citizen in its community. In
urban communities, Ahold companies
contribute to making the neighborhood
a better place to live. They offer local
people retail training and ensure their
stores are as secure as possible, while
participating in neighborhood groups and
local government to improve the overall
environment. Ahold companies are proud
to play an active role in these commun
ities and their many programs are geared
towards generating long-term community
improvements and a broader understand
ing of and appreciation for diversity.
In The Netherlands, Albert Heijn takes
the lead in revitalizing inner-cities by
opening stores in economically disadvan
taged neighborhoods previously lacking
a full-service supermarket. As part of a
nationwide urban renewal program to
improve social and economic standards
in some Dutch cities, Albert Heijn makes
a higher-than-average investment in
shopping center redevelopment, offering
jobs to local people and inviting them to
follow training courses and improve their
skills and career options. It is a full
participant in the 'Platform for Urban
Renewal' together with other retailers
and service providers. This is an initiative
to help develop the public-private
partnerships necessary to revitalize older,
economically disadvantaged urban
communities.
Tops' leadership role in the communities
it serves is exemplified by its involvement
in western New York, one of the few areas
in the U.S. experiencing a population
decline. Tops has taken a pro-active role
by donating significantly to the Buffalo
Niagara Enterprise, an organization
committed to economic development
and growth. Tops also invested in the
redevelopment of its three largest urban
markets. In Rochester, NY Tops completed
the fourth store in an inner-city
redevelopment initiative and in both the
Buffalo and Cleveland urban markets Tops
invested over USD 2.8 million to provide
safe neighborhood store environments.
Education and culture
Ahold supports research at universities
and colleges in the United States and
The Netherlands. The company contributes
to educational projects and subsidizes
endowed chairs at Dutch universities.
Ahold's US companies join forces with
various non-profit organizations to help
less-advantaged students go to college,
in the conviction that helping students
excel - and recognizing them when they
do - is vital to building strong communities.
Since 1988, Giant-Landover has awarded
over USD 55 million in free educational
equipment through its Apples for the
Students Plus campaign. Giant-Carlisle
dedicated the Center for Economic
Education at Penn State, Harrisburg
through its Apples Make Sense campaign.
Bomprego
The annual Royal Ahold Retail Award has
developed into an international 'best food
retail related thesis' contest.
ADLhonor
In the US, Ahold was honored by the
Anti-Defamation League's International
Leadership Award in November 1999 for
setting standards to which others aspire
and emulate in their relationships with
the many communities they serve. The
award recognized Ahold's leadership in
dedicating itself to combating all forms
of discrimination in the communities it
serves around the world. 'Underlying
respect for its associates, excellent,
mutually beneficial relations with
customers, a strong regard for human
rights and a high standard of business
ethics make Ahold a company everyone
is pleased to have in its midst,' said the
ADL which is headquartered in New York
and works to combat discrimination.
Corporate culture
Ahold has detailed its principal social
responsibilities in a corporate culture
statement adhered to by all associated
companies: customer first and foremost,
an attractive working environment for
associates, long-term mutually beneficial
relationships with partners and suppliers
and consistent shareholder returns.
Ahold management and associates alike
regard corporate citizenship as a funda
mental part of their everyday work. It is
just as important as corporate continuity
and business growth in its trade areas.
Royal Ahold Annual Report 1999
39
