Additional Information
202
Ahold Annual Report 2003
Additional Information
Other initiatives to restructure the portfolio
Tops United States
In January 2004, Ahold announced that its U.S. subsidiary Tops intends to divest its chain of 204 convenience
stores. These are Ahold's remaining convenience stores in the U.S. The stores operate under the banners of
Wilson Farms Neighborhood Food Stores (127), Sugarcreek Stores (67) and Tops Xpress (10). Together, the
convenience stores employ nearly 2,100 associates, including store associates, field specialists and operations
support. Ahold has not set a time frame for the completion of this divestment.
Corporate restructuring
The following restructuring initiatives were undertaken in 2004 based on Ahold's commitment and strategy to
integrate operations into a single company with a single focus on generating value for customers. In January 2004,
Ahold announced further steps in its strategic program to streamline the Company and improve long-term efficiency.
Ahold U.S. Retail
The Ahold U.S. Retail corporate headquarters, currently located in Chantilly, Virginia, will be closed. Ahold U.S.
Retail and corporate functions will be aligned with those of the new business arena being created, based in the
Boston, Massachusetts area. This arena will integrate the back-office functions of Ahold operating companies, Stop
Shop and Giant-Landover. The change is effective as of July 2004. Ahold USA oversees approximately 1,300
supermarkets operated through six retail companies in the United States. As part of Ahold's 'Road to Recovery'
strategy announced on November 7, 2003, a new business arena is in the process of being created to combine the
administrative and managerial functions of Stop Shop in the Boston, Massachusetts area and Giant Food LLC in
Landover, Maryland. Approximately 100 associates are currently employed at the Ahold USA corporate headquarters
located in Virginia.
European Competence Center
Ahold has closed the ECC, which supported the retail and foodservice operations of the Company's four European
markets: The Netherlands, Nordic countries, Central Europe and Iberia. Effective March 2004, services provided
by the ECC are being provided by the Ahold corporate headquarters and The Netherlands arena, which is expected
to lead to harmonization and more effective business process management, as well as improved and more efficient
infrastructure and control activities.
Finance Restructuring
Ahold Preferred Financing Shares
In February 2004, Ahold announced that an agreement was reached with the holders of (depositary receipts of)
cumulative preferred financing shares (the "Preferred Shares") on the restructuring of the Preferred Shares. The
restructuring consists of (i) a limitation of their voting rights; and (ii) the possibility to convert the Preferred Shares
into common shares.
