Dutch retail group Ahold has announced its intention to divest its BI-LO and Bruno’s supermarket chains, which both operate in the southeast region of the US.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


Ahold said the intended divestment is part of its strategy to optimise its portfolio and to strengthen its financial position by reducing debt.


The company said it had made a strategic decision to focus its efforts on its remaining US food retail operations, including Stop & Shop, Giant-Landover, Giant-Carlisle, Tops, and Peapod, positioning them for growth.


Ahold said it intends to complete the BI-LO and Bruno’s divestment process in 2004.


BI-LO, headquartered in Mauldin, South Carolina, was acquired by Ahold in 1977. The company operates 292 stores in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Bruno’s, based in Birmingham, Alabama, was acquired by Ahold in 2001. The company operates 178 stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi.

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact