Notes to the parent company financial statements
14 Commitments and contingencies
31 www.ahold.com/reports2008
Financial statements
AHOLD ANNUAL REPORT 2008 114
Notes and loans issued by certain subsidiaries are guaranteed by the Company, as disclosed in Note 20 to the consolidated
financial statements. The Company also guarantees certain lease obligations and other obligations of subsidiaries. Guarantees
issued by the parent company regarding the financial obligations of third parties and non-consolidated entities amount to
EUR 1,092 million as of December 28, 2008 (December 30, 2007: EUR 1,412 million). As part of the divestment of Ahold's
Polish retail operations, Ahold received a guarantee from Carrefour for EUR 152 million in June 2007 which was reduced to
EUR 7 million as of December 28, 2008. As part of the divestment of U.S. Foodservice in 2007, Ahold received an irrevocable
stand by letter of credit for USD 216 million (EUR 154 million). Under customary provisions the Company guarantees certain
representations and warranties made in agreements of asset disposals. Guarantees and legal proceedings are further disclosed in
Note 33 to the consolidated financial statements. The parent company forms a fiscal unity with Ahold's major Dutch subsidiaries
for Dutch corporate income tax and Dutch VAT purposes and for that reason it is jointly and severally liable for the Dutch corporate
income tax liabilities and Dutch VAT liabilities of the whole fiscal unity. Assumptions of liability pursuant to section 403, Book 2
of the Netherlands Civil Code are disclosed in Note 35 to the consolidated financial statements.
Corporate Executive Board Supervisory Board
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
February 27, 2009
