NETHERLANDS – Today, Ahold Delhaize released its financial report for the fourth quarter of 2017, ending the year on a high note with a solid performance compared to the fourth quarter last year.

According to the company’s financial report, Ahold Delhaize announced consolidated net sales of €15.8 billion ($19.58 billion), an increase of 1.6% at constant exchange rates compared to last year. Net sales also saw a growth of 2.5% on a pro forma basis, at constant exchange rates. For the entirety of 2017, pro forma net sales reached €62.7 billion ($78.93 billion), up 1.7% at constant exchange rates.

In line with the third quarter, Ahold USA’s sales performance had comparable sales growth of 0.6% (excluding gasoline), and improved slightly after adjusting for weather and holiday shifts compared to the previous quarter. Market share is expected to be stable compared to last year, and price inflation at 1.1% was broadly in line with the previous quarter.

At Delhaize America, comparable sales grew by 1.5%, with both Food Lion and Hannaford reporting positive comparable sales growth, with market share expected to increase compared to last year. Food Lion continued to benefit from the rollout of the "Easy, Fresh and Affordable" program in the Charlotte market last year and the Richmond and Greensboro markets this year. Price inflation was at 0.7%, broadly similar to the previous quarter.

Other successes include:

• Strong sales performance in the Netherlands with comparable sales up 6.0%
• Online net consumer sales up 23.2% at constant exchange rates in the fourth quarter and reached €2.8 billion for the full year 2017
• Expected full year 2017 pro forma underlying operating margin of 3.9%, in line with guidance
• Expected full year 2017 free cash flow to be significantly ahead of expectations

For more information on U.S. and European growth in 2017, check out Ahold Delhaize’s financial report here.

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Ahold Delhaize