Ahold USA's new produce format delivering Q3 results

ZAANDAM, The Netherlands — Ahold's third-quarter same-store sales in the United States excluding gas were up 1.8%, reflecting an improved customer proposition the company reported Wednesday.

 

Total third quarter net sales of $5.6 billion were up 16.6%. Excluding gas, net sales at constant exchange rates were 0.8% higher than last year, while reported identical sales growth excluding gas was 0.4%.

 

Ahold continues to roll-out its new produce department format, launching it to another 149 stores during the quarter, bringing the total to 316 stores. "We are starting to see really encouraging results," Jeff Carr, Ahold CFO, reported in the above video (he starts talking about U.S. operations at about the 2' mark). 

 

And Ahold's online grocer Peapod achieved double-digit sales growth with improved capacity usage at its newest distribution facility.

 

On July 20, Stop & Shop New York Metro entered into a conditional agreement to acquire stores from A&P. On Oct. 8, all conditions had been met and Ahold commenced the purchase of the 25 stores. The conversion of the stores is ongoing, with the final group of stores expected to be converted in mid-November.