Zaandam, the Netherlands - Today and tomorrow, Ahold's senior management will present an update of the company's online retail strategy to analysts and investors.  

Ahold's management will announce that the company's online sales are expected to reach €1.4 billion* by the end of 2014; and the company will present an ambition of €2.5* billion in online sales by the end of 2017.

With trusted consumer brands, leadership in its markets, millions of loyal customers, and its physical store network, Ahold has a strong foundation. In the past 25 years, the company has created a robust set of strengths to serve customers anyhow, anytime, and anywhere. To stay in the forefront of omni-channel retail, Ahold has invested in technology, marketing and online capabilities. Following the acquisition of bol.com in 2012, the company now employs over 1,000 IT experts, based in four technology hubs in the U.S. and the Netherlands.

Commenting on Ahold's online retail strategy, CEO Dick Boer said: "Our online brands bol.com, Peapod.com and ah.nl have played a pioneering role over the past 25 years. Today, we announce the next stage of our ambition, aiming for a growth in online sales to €2.5* billion by the end of 2017. This growth will be supported by an incremental EBIT investment of €60 million in the period 2015 until 2017. We offer a great omni-channel proposition for our customers, creating a strong platform for continued future growth and long-term value creation.''

Ahold's online growth strategy has three elements: "more customers," benefitting from general market growth and driving share growth; "more places," expanding into new regions; and "more choices," expanding the offering for customers and partners.

The Online Strategy Event begins at 5.30pm CET at the offices of bol.com in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Presentations from the two-day event will be available to view on the company's website at www.ahold.com:
http://www.ahold.com

*Consumer sales

Ahold's Online Strategy Event 2014:
http://hugin.info/130711/R/1872098/659060.pdf


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Source: Ahold via Globenewswire
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