We operate strong
brands in all our
markets
Our brands and how we operate
Europe
In Europe we serve a trading
area of approximately 33 million
people in four countries, with
the greater part of our business
in the Netherlands and the
Czech Republic.
United States
In the United States, we serve
a trading area of approximately
38 million people.
Our strong local brands in Europe and the United States
are well-known and popular with customers - and
most are leaders in their markets.
Ahold at a glance
Our strategy
Our performance
Governan
Financials
Investors
Ahold Annual Report 2013
The food sector in the Netherlands showed limited
growth in 2013, but also significant consolidation
in the supermarket industry. Despite strong
competition, Albert Heijn's market share grew
slightly in 20131.
Though the grocery channel still represents nearly
two-thirds of the food market in the United States,
food is being sold in an increasing range of retail
formats as more and more U.S. retailers use
it to drive traffic. For this reason, we measure
our businesses in the United States against the
performance of not only the supermarket channel
but the all-outlets channel, which includes other
retailers who also sell food.
222,000
Associates
70 million
Serving a trade area of around
Our U.S. businesses were able to gain market
share - both in the supermarket channel but
also in the all-outlets channel - over the past
year, despite tough competition1.
1 Based on
Nielsen data
2 Source: GfK
Belgium
In Belgium, we operate in Dutch-speaking Flanders.
The Flemish market showed very modest growth in
2013 in terms of both volume and price2.
In the Czech Republic we operate supermarkets
and compact hypers. The competitive
environment in the country remained intense
in 2013. Our Czech business succeeded in
maintaining a share comparable to last year
in this competitive market1.
