As compared to the same time period a year ago, U.S. sales at European-based Ahold improved 4.3% in the fourth quarter to $6.1 billion, and identical-store sales improved by 1.4%. Ahold USA includes Giant, Stop & Shop, Martin’s Food Markets and Peapod.
For the fiscal year, U.S. sales increased 3.1% to $25.8 billion. Worldwide, Ahold sales totaled $42.9 billion.
The company said it would keep its “eyes and ears open” about potential acquisitions but didn’t say anything about Harris Teeter Supermarkets, which has been rumored to be on the sales block. Ahold and Publix are both rumored to be interested in Harris Teeter.
