In a global retail
environment
that keeps
changing
rapidly, Ahold
and its trusted
local brands
continued to
deliver in 2015,
€38.2bn
€1.5bn
€1.2bn
Message from our CEO
ahold.com
Operational highlights from
the pastyear
Robust sales performance,
driven by excellent store operations
and accelerating online sales
Solid underlying operating income,
up 15.3% (3.6% at constant
exchange rates)
Strong free cash flow, allowing
us to invest in profitable growth
and return cash to shareholders
The intended merger with Delhaize
is on track to complete in mid-2016
Ahold at a glance I Business review I Governance I Financials I Investors
with strong results, innovative new products and
formats, and a sharp focus on the evolving needs
of our customers.
Find out more and stay up-to-date
w'th our brands at:
In 2015, we continued to enhance our in-store
experience and expand our strong online
businesses. Customers noticed the changes
we made and it was reflected in our results.
Across our markets, consumer expectations continue
to rise. Customers want better quality, greater value,
broad choice and personalized service tailored
to how they live. At the same time, shoppers have
access to sophisticated information about what they
buy, and are able to compare prices, quality, and
ingredients across retailers with the touch of a smart
phone. They want to know what is in the products
they buy and where they come from. And to stay
informed and simplify their choices, customers
increasingly turn to the global community of shoppers
who eagerly share opinions online.
Throughout our 129-year history, Ahold and its
brands have a long tradition of successfully adapting
to changing times with cutting-edge offerings -
from some of the first self-service supermarkets in
the last century to today's tech-enabled mix of
convenient, customized online shopping and exciting,
value-focused stores. As part of our Reshaping Retail
strategy, we have continued to enhance our in-store
experience, while at the same time expanding our
strong online businesses through ongoing innovation,
personalization and more market-leading brands.
Customers over the past year noticed the changes
and improvements we made in our businesses,
and itwas refected in our results. We challenged
ourselves to innovate faster, to bring our customers
fresher products in new and different ways, offering
the right assortment at affordable prices, both online
and in our stores. We made dinnertime easier
and healthier and holidays more festive and fun.
And we added a greater, affordable selection of
healthy and organic products to provide all of our
customers with a wider range of options.
2015 also marked another exciting change for
our business, the announcement of our intention
to merge with Delhaize Group. We believe
strongly that this merger of equals, which we
remain on track to complete in mid-2016, will be a
transformational move for us and a historic moment
for both companies.
