ZAANDAM, THE NETHERLANDS - Ahold Delhaize recently released its financial report from Q1 2024 alongside its 2024 outlook. Within, President and Chief Executive Officer Frans Muller detailed how the retail group is working toward implementing a new strategy throughout its operations to drive growth.

"I am pleased to report a stable first quarter, placing us well on track to reach our goals and aspirations for the year. The external environment remained challenging, similar to the second half of 2023. Our brands have been very active during the quarter in delivering great value, quality, and savings to customers, creatively using the full spectrum of their own-brand assortments and omnichannel toolkits,” Muller noted.

Highlights from the financial include:

• Q1 Group net sales were €21.7 billion (USD $23.3 billion), up 1.3 percent at constant exchange rates and up 0.4 percent at actual exchange rates
• Net consumer online sales decreased by 1 percent in Q1 at constant exchange rates, negatively impacted by 5.7 percentage points due to the divestment of FreshDirect. This was partially offset by double-digit growth at Food Lion and Hannaford and accelerating growth at Albert Heijn

Focusing on the United States market, Muller had this to say.

“In the U.S., our decision to orient our online fulfillment capabilities toward more efficient, less asset-intense same-day delivery models, such as click and collect, is also paying off. Our online sales in the U.S. grew 4.7 percent in the first quarter on a like-for-like basis, fueled by new customer growth, as well as strong retention of existing e-commerce customers,” he noted.

We can’t help but recall the growth seen by Food Lion and Hannaford, as referenced above in the highlights.

“[…] Ahold Delhaize USA launched a first supplier collaboration focusing on reducing carbon emissions, with several more to follow this year,” Muller added, speaking to some company firsts driving growth in the United States.

To see the financial report in full, click here.

ANUK will continue to report on the latest retail news, so stay tuned.