These forward-looking statements are subject to risks,
uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from future results expressed or
implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from the
information set forth in any forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to:
Ahold's liquidity needs exceeding expected levels,
Ahold's ability to maintain normal terms, or improve terms,
with suppliers and customers;
Ahold's ability to reach agreements acceptable to the
Company for the operations being divested, including its
ability to successfully divest U.S. Foodservice;
Ahold's ability to address legal obstacles to the
consummation of certain divestments and acquisitions
and to satisfy other closing conditions to certain
divestments and acquisitions;
Ahold's ability or the ability of any of its operating
companies to implement and successfully complete their
plans and strategies or delays or additional costs
encountered in connection with their implementation;
The effect of general economic conditions and
fluctuations in food prices;
Difficulties encountered in the cooperation efforts among
Ahold's subsidiaries and the implementation of new
operational improvements;
Diversion of management's attention, the loss of key
personnel, the integration of new members of
management, Ahold's ability to attract, retain and
unexpected delays in appointing key executives and
employees;
Increases in competition in the markets in which Ahold's
subsidiaries and joint ventures operate and changes in
marketing methods utilized by competitors;
Fluctuations in interest rates in the countries in which
Ahold operates and in exchange rates between the euro
and the other currencies in which the Company's assets,
liabilities and operating income are denominated, in
particular, the U.S. dollar;
Ahold's ability to maintain its market share in the markets
in which it operates;
The results of pending or future legal proceedings to
which Ahold is, or may be, a party;
The actions of government regulators and law
enforcement agencies;
Any downgrading of Ahold's credit ratings or its inability
to achieve an investment grade;
Sufficiency of Ahold's insurance coverage and any
increases in insurance premiums;
Ahold's ability to maintain normal relations with personnel
and trade unions;
The potential adverse impact of any disclosures made in
this Annual Report on Ahold's results of operations and
liquidity; and
Other factors discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Many of these factors are beyond Ahold's ability to control
or predict. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking
statements, which only speak as of the date of this Annual
Report. Ahold does not undertake any obligation to release
publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to
reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Annual
Report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events,
except as may be required under applicable securities laws
and regulations.
Neither Ahold's independent auditors, nor any other
independent accountants, have compiled, examined, or
performed any procedures with respect to the prospective
financial information contained in this Annual Report, nor
have they expressed any opinion or any other form of
assurance on such information or its achievability. They
assume no responsibility for, and disclaim any association
with, the prospective financial information.
For additional information on these forward-looking
statements and the factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from future results expressed or implied by
these forward-looking statements, see Ahold's public filings.
Outside the Netherlands, Ahold presents itself under the
name of "Royal Ahold" or simply "Ahold." For the reader's
convenience, "Ahold" or "the Company" is also used
throughout this Annual Report. The Company's registered
name is "Koninklijke Ahold N.V."
Ahold Annual Report 2006 155
