Ahold Delhaize has presented excellent results to end 2018: in all of its main markets (the Netherlands, Belgium and the United States) growth was achieved.
Online growth
Quarterly company turnover grew 3 % to 16.5 billion euro, while the full-year turnover went up 2.5 % to 62.8 billion. Delhaize had an excellent festive season in Belgium, adding 3 % to its turnover (now 1.3 billion) as its new strategy resulted in improved operations. The Belgian chain’s full-year market share went up after a few consecutive years of decline, partly fuelled by its 29 % rise in online sales.
The Dutch Albert Heijn chain even added 3.3 % after an equally strong Christmas period, but lost a bit of its market share over the full year. Web shop Bol.com lifted its turnover in Belgium and the Netherlands 32.3 % higher in the fourth quarter, reaching 2.1 billion over the full year.
Czech operations performed very strongly, but Greece remains troublesome – even though there seems to be a slight amelioration. In the United States comparable turnover went up 2.7 % and online turnover increased by 12.1 %. Put together, the different US chains added to their market share during the full year.
