THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Royal Ahold NV, the Dutch operator of U.S. supermarket chains Stop & Shop and Giant, says net profit rose 6.2 per cent in the third quarter to 189 million ($203 million), helped by improving sales in the United States, its flagship Albert Heijn supermarkets and online.
Ahold said Wednesday that net sales for the group were up 13 per cent to 8.4 billion euros ($9 billion) from the same period last year.
Net sales in the United States rose nearly 17 per cent to 5.2 billion euros ($5.6 billion), though at constant exchange rates sales were down 1.4 per cent, due to lower gas prices.
Dutch internet stores and online grocery shop Peapod in the United States reported strong net sales growth.
