Ahold sales update 3rd quarter 2002

Highlights 3rd quarter 2002 sales:
„h Sales rise 5.8% to Euro 16.4 billion
„h Organic sales growth (excluding currency impact) amounts to 1.5%

Against the backdrop of challenging trading conditions, Ahold, the international food retailer and foodservice operator, today reported 3rd quarter 2002 sales of Euro 16.4 billion, a 5.8% increase over the Euro 15.5 billion generated in 2001. Organic sales growth, excluding currency impact, amounted to 1.5% for the quarter (2001: 6.5%).

United States
U.S. retail sales of the Ahold regional supermarket chains Stop & Shop, Giant-Landover, Giant-Carlisle, Tops, BI-LO and Bruno¡¦s rose 11.5% to USD 6.0 billion (2001: USD 5.4 billion). Organic U.S. retail sales growth amounted to 3.4% (2001: 7.3%). Identical U.S. retail sales amounted to ¡V0.2% (2001: 3.4%). Comparable U.S. retail sales grew by 0.6% (2001: 3.8%).

U.S. foodservice sales increased by 43.3% to USD 4.0 billion (2001: USD 2.8 billion). Organic U.S. foodservice sales growth amounted to ¡V6.1% (2001: 9.0%).

Europe
In the 13 European countries in which Ahold is active, sales increased by 6.6% to Euro 5.5 billion. Organic sales growth, excluding currency impact, amounted to 4.8% (2001: 6.3%).

South America
In South America ¡V Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Paraguay ¡V sales decreased by 49.3% to Euro 586 million. Organic sales growth, excluding currency impact, was 6.0% (2001: -1.3%).

Asia
Sales in Asia ¡V Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia ¡V increased by 16.8% to Euro 109 million (2001: Euro 93 million). Organic sales growth, excluding currency impact, amounted to 21.7% (2001: 3.3%).

Central America
In Central America ¡V Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador ¡V the joint venture Paiz Ahold, owner of La Fragua, formed a new regional joint venture with CSU named CARHCO, effective January 1, 2002. Since that date, La Fragua has been deconsolidated. CARHCO¡¦s results are reported as income from unconsolidated subsidiaries and affiliates. Sales in the third quarter amounted to Euro 372.0 million. Organic sales growth, excluding currency impact, amounted to 17.1%.

(source: Ahold)

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