Ahold Delhaize Posts ‘Strong’ Q4 Sales Growth

Ahold Delhaize has posted consolidated net sales of $16.1 billion for the fourth quarter of 2016, a 54.5 percent increase from the year-ago period, corresponding to pro forma net sales of $16.5 billion.

“Overall, our business showed a strong performance in the fourth quarter, resulting in a net sales growth of 2.8 percent on a pro forma basis, at constant exchange rates and adjusted for week 53 in 2015,” the Zandaam, Netherlands retail conglomerate said. “For the full year 2016, pro forma net sales reached [$66.4 billion], up 3.4 percent at constant exchange rates and adjusted for week 53 in 2015.”

Following what the company said was a successful holiday season, especially at Stop & Shop New England, Ahold USA’s comparable-store sales dipped 0.2 percent, while market share increased, except at Stop & Shop New York Metro, as fourth-quarter 2015 sales benefited from competitive closures. Shelf-price deflation was 1.2 percent, roughly similar to the previous quarter.

Meanwhile, Delhaize America saw strong comp growth of 2.2 percent, with both Food Lion and Hannaford growing their respective volumes considerably. In October, Food Lion rolled out its Easy, Fresh & Affordable store renovation initiative to 142 locations in the Charlotte, N.C., market, to positive customer response, particularly in the relation to the stores’ fresh offering. Shelf price deflation was 1.7 percent, broadly analogous to the previous quarter.

In other Food Lion news, the Salisbury, N.C.-based grocer has expanded online grocery ordering via San Francisco-based Instacart in the greater Raleigh, N.C., area, encompassing Durham, northeast Raleigh and southeast Raleigh and covering 25 ZIP codes, bringing the total number of ZIP codes in the region now receiving the service to 42.