Dutch retail giant Ahold has posted a 15.2% increase in first-quarter net sales today (6 May), boosted by “solid” performances in the company’s European and US markets.
Consolidated net sales for the period to 19 April reached EUR8.7bn (US$11.6bn), with a 6.2% rise at constant exchange rates.
“In Europe and the United States, our performance remained solid and we continued to focus on striking a balance between sales growth, market share and margin,” the company said. “We remain well positioned to meet our customers’ needs and to respond to competition in the current turbulent economic environment.”
First-quarter sales at the group’s Stop & Shop stores increased 4.8% in dollar terms and 3.6% at Giant-Landover as US consumers responded to price cuts.
The company’s Giant-Carlisle stores experienced a net sales increase of 3.4% to US$1.5bn. Identical sales increased 1.1%.
