Finance

Ahold 2nd Quarter 2001 Net Earnings Surge 37.2% on a gain of 29% in sales. Chain officials cofirm talks with several potential acquisiton candidates.

Delhaize Group (Euronext Brussels: DELB; NYSE: DEG) will release its second quarter earnings on Thursday,September 6, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. CET (8:00 a.m. EST) for the thirteen weeks ended June 30, 2001. Immediately following, Delhaize Group will conduct an investors'conference call at 3:00 p.m. CET (9:00 a.m. EST) on Thursday September 6, 2001. The Delhaize Group management team will be discussing the financial results forsecond quarter 2001.

Flooz.com, a purveyor of online currency used as electronic giftcertificates, officially ceased operations over the weekend,according to its chief executive, Robert Levitan. It fell victim to asoftening economy and a sour investment atmosphere. But Internetfraud may have sped its demise, a person close to the company said.

Amazon.com is looking beyond individual consumers with anew program intended to attract organizations such as libraries, schools andbusinesses.

Target Corp. on Tuesday reported earnings per share for the second quarter ended August 4, 2001 of 30 cents, compared with 28 cents in the second quarter ended July 29, 2000.

Albertson's Inc. announced today that Felicia D. Thornton will join the company as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Thornton, 37, will report directly to Larry Johnston, Albertson's chairman and CEO, and will serve as a member of the company's executive committee.

SYSCO Corporation, the largest foodservice marketing and distribution organization in North America, today announced diluted earnings per share of $0.88 on sales of $21.8 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001, marking the 25th year of uninterrupted sales and earnings increases.

VoiceFlash Networks Inc. announced today that the company has signed a memorandum of understanding with VeriFone Inc., to explore the viability of cooperating in the development of retail mobile commerce products.