<p style="text-indent:0px; line-height:12px;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Amsterdam, Netherlands-</span><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">By ANUK Staff<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">1.19.13</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>With a 4.3% increase in U.S. fourth quarter sales, the company attributed its success to its ability to remain open to serve customers during Hurricane Sandy, however, the positive impact was partially offset by a “negative calendar impact” caused by the timing of the fiscal year end.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/stopandshop012313.jpg" alt="Images 011813" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“Our strong performance was partly driven by the exceptional efforts of our teams during Hurricane Sandy, which enabled our stores to remain open and to serve our customers during these difficult times,” the Ahold said in its year end earnings statement.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Worldwide net sales for the 2012 fourth quarter increased 7.5% from fourth quarter 2011 figures to €7.8 billion, or about $10.4 billion USD.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">For the full year 2012, total net sales increased 8.5% from 2011 to €32.8 billion, or $43.7 billion USD.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">With ownership of the Stop & Shop, Giant-Landover, and Giant Carlisle chains in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, as well as the Peapod online grocery service, the company maintains a significant presence in the states. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>The 15 Genuardi’s stores the company acquired in 2012 met performance expectations. Another four pick-up points were opened in the U.S. bringing the total to eight.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Despite a tough European market, Ahold continued to drive sales ahead of the competition and enjoyed an increased market share. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="https://www.ahold.com/”target="_new">Ahold</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
