Ahold

AMSTERDAM — Dutch supermarket operator Royal Ahold reported sales of $9.3 billion and profits of $347.8 million in third quarter 2011, the company said.

PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. — A Giant Food location in Phoenixville, Pa., opened its new gas station Wednesday, Carlisle, Pa.-based Giant said.

Royal Ahold-owned Giant, also known as Giant-Carlisle — to distinguish it from Landover, Md.-based Giant Food, owned by the same company — said the station would have eight pumps.

CARLISLE, Pa. — The U.S. subsidiary of Dutch supermarket operator Royal Ahold is hoping to attract local and diverse suppliers to its stores in the markets in which it operates.

Ahold USA said Thursday that it had its first annual Local/Diverse Business Opportunity Fair last month. The fair attracted participants from more than 140 companies that were given the opportunity to have their products reviewed by Ahold USA procurement teams for placement in more than 750 stores throughout the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.

CARLISLE, Pa. — The U.S. subsidiary of Dutch supermarket operator Royal Ahold has appointed Raymond McCall SVP pharmacy and health and beauty care, the company said Wednesday.

McCall will be responsible for strategic leadership, direction and business plan design and execution for the pharmacy and health and beauty care teams for Ahold USA, which operates the Giant-Carlisle, Giant-Landover and Stop & Shop chains. He will be based out of the company’s Carlisle, Pa., support office.

PHILADELPHIA — Giant-Carlisle plans to open its first store in Philadelphia next week, the grocery chain said.

AMSTERDAM — Ahold has tapped retail veteran James McCann to serve in the newly created role of chief commercial development officer.

McCann, who most recently served as executive director for Carrefour France and a member of Carrefour's group executive board, will focus on developing new and innovative ways to serve customer needs, build customer loyalty and broaden Ahold's offering. He also will be responsible for leading Ahold's e-commerce initiatives and will strengthen the company's online business globally.

AMSTERDAM — Sales for Dutch supermarket operator Royal Ahold increased 5.9% to $13.3 billion in first quarter 2011, the company said.

This compared with first quarter 2010 sales of $12.6 billion at Ahold, which operates the Giant-Carlisle, Giant-Landover and Stop & Shop chains in the United States, as well as online grocer Peapod. Profits for the quarter were $419.1 million, a 6.2% increase over $394.6 million in 2010.

Sales for Ahold USA were $7.6 billion, a 7.4% increase over first quarter 2010. Same-store sales increased by 5% over last year.

CHICAGO — Registered dietitians' role in retail was emphasized as health-and-wellness professionals from retailers, manufacturers and other organizations gathered for the third annual Dietitian Summit, which was held in Philadelphia last month.

The third annual invitation-only summit — co-hosted by Ahold USA and Field Trip Factory, which unites commerce and other organizations through education — underscored that grocers stress healthy food choices by utilizing RDs, which offer customers the tools to achieve optimal health.