Cautionary
notice
Ahold Annual Report 2012 157
Ahold at a glance
Our strategy
Our performance
Governance
Financials
Investors
This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements, which do not refer to historical facts but refer to expectations based on management's current views and assumptions and involve
known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or events to differ materially from those included in such statements.
Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond Ahold's ability to control or estimate precisely, including but not limited to, Ahold's ability to successfully implement and
complete its plans and strategies and to meet its targets, the benefits from Ahold's plans and strategies being less than anticipated, the effect of general economic or political conditions, the
actions of competitors and other third parties, increases or changes in competition, Ahold's ability to retain and attract employees who are integral to the success of the business, acquisition and
integration and risks related to large strategic projects, collective bargaining, information security, business and IT continuity, food and non-food safety, social compliance, responsible retailing,
social media, insurance programs, the euro, contingent liabilities associated with lease guarantees, Ahold's liquidity needs (including but not limited to health care and pension funding
requirements) exceeding expected levels, foreign currency translation risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, unforeseen tax liabilities and legislative and regulatory environment and litigation risks, and
other factors discussed in this Annual Report, in particular the paragraphs on How we manage risk and in Ahold's other public filings and disclosures. Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Annual Report. Ahold does not assume any obligation to update any public information or forward-looking
statement in this Annual Report to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Annual Report, except as may be required by applicable laws.
Outside the Netherlands, Ahold presents itself under the name of "Royal Ahold" or simply "Ahold." For the reader's convenience, "Ahold," "the Company," "Ahold group," or "the Group" are
also used throughout this Annual Report. The Company's registered name is "Koninklijke Ahold N.V.".
Nielsen's information as included in this Annual Report does not constitute a reliable independent basis for investment advice or Nielsen's opinion as to the value of any security or the
advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling any security.
