Ahold Delhaize has the wind in its sails

Dutch food retail group Ahold Delhaize has reported unprecedented levels of demand in all countries where it operates along with double-digit sales revenues.

Il posted net sales of €18.2 billion in Q1 2020, 12.7% up at constant exchange rates compared to the same period the prior year, and gross operating margin up 20.6%.

The group saw its results severely impacted by the health emergency in March.

In the USA, where the group generates almost two-thirds of its sales, it recorded 33.8% growth compared to 15.9% in Europe. In Belgium, the group posted 11% growth and has very positive expectations for the rest of the year. However, the segment that has seen a real boom is online sales with 37.7% growth to €1.35 billion globally, including €1.02 billion in Europe, largely driven by sales on the bol.com platform.