Ahold

ZAANDAM, The Netherlands — Ahold on Thursday announced consolidated net sales of €7.5 billion (U.S. $10.2 billion) for fourth quarter 2013, a decrease of 1.1% at constant exchange rates compared to fourth quarter 2012. 

 For the full year 2013, consolidated net sales were $44.3 billion, an increase of 2% at constant exchange rates compared to 2012. 

In the United States sales in the fourth quarter were down 2.1%, reflecting a contracting food market and the sales effect of Hurricane Sandy last year, the international grocer stated. 

CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold USA has opened 120 pickup points for online orders as of the end of 2013, the supermarket operator said Monday.

Ahold, which hopes to triple its online food sales by 2016, said the opening of pickup points in the United States and Europe would be an important part of reaching that goal. Most of the pickup points in the United States are operated under the Stop & Shop, Giant Food of Landover, Md., and Giant Food Stores of Carlisle, Pa., banners. The 120 pickup points compare with only eight a year ago.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A national gay-rights organization has given Walgreens top marks for its practices related to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

In its 2014 Corporate Equality Index, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation gave the Deerfield, Ill.-based retail pharmacy chain a "perfect" score of 100. 2014 is the ninth year that Walgreens has won a perfect score.

CARLISLE, Pa. – Ahold USA division Giant Food Stores has donated nearly $650,000 to local charities, the supermarket banner said.

Giant, based in Carlisle, Pa., and also known as Giant-Carlisle to distinguish itself from another Ahold banner, Giant Food of Landover, Md., said customers at Giant Food Stores and Martin's Food Markets — part of the same banner — donated $640,194 to local Children's Miracle Network hospitals in their communities as part of a donation campaign that took place between Nov. 24 and Dec. 7.

CARLISLE, Pa. – Giant Food Stores is further expanding its partnership with sister company Peapod with the launch of a new pick-up spot at a store in a town near Philadelphia, the chain, also known as Giant-Carlisle, said.

Giant-Carlisle and online grocery service Peapod, both banners of Ahold USA, announced the launch of the pickup service in Huntingdon Valley, Pa. The store is the 10th Giant location in Pennsylvania to include a Peapod pickup spot.

CARLISLE, Pa. – Paula Price is stepping down as Ahold USA's EVP and CFO, the supermarket operator said Tuesday.

Canada's Jean Coutu Group is helping to bolster holiday sales with the launch of its "e-store window" inside the Longueuil Metro Station. Commuters will be able to shop a wall of deals using their smartphones with delivery before Dec. 24. 

CARLISLE, Pa. — Giant Food Stores of Carlisle, Pa., is launching its pickup service at five stores in Pennsylvania's Montgomery and Bucks counties, the Ahold USA-owned supermarket banner said.

The pickup program is offered under a partnership with online retailer and sister company Peapod at stores in the towns of Bensalem, Hatfield, Plymouth Meeting, Royersford and Warminster.