Ahold Delhaize Caps Off Strong Q2

The "stickiness of food-at-home consumption" helped propel Ahold Delhaize to a strong second quarter, with the Dutch retailer raising its earnings guidance above earlier projections, the company announced Wednesday. 

“Based on the strong U.S. performance, we now expect underlying EPS to increase by mid-single digits compared to 2021 and free cash flow to be approximately $2.05 billion compared to the guidance we gave in May,” Ahold Delhaize President and CEO Frans Muller said in a statement.

Second quarter net sales climbed compared to first quarter, growing 7.7% in the U.S., Ahold Delhaize reported.

Ahold said second quarter group U.S. net sales were up nearly $14.03 billion, or 7.7% at constant exchange rates, and up 22.1% at actual exchange rates. U.S. comparable sales excluding gasoline increased 6.4%, receiving some benefit from calendar shifts, the company reported.

Food Lion, Ahold Delhaize’s Salisbury, North Carolina-based banner, continues to be the company’s strongest U.S. performer, boasting 39 consecutive quarters of positive sales growth, the Dutch retailer reported.

In the second quarter, U.S. online sales in the segment were up 16.4% in constant currency. This builds on top of the strong 61% constant currency growth in the same quarter last year, Ahold reported.

Underlying operating margin in the U.S. was 4.7%, down 0.3 percentage points at constant exchange rates from the prior year period. In the second quarter, the U.S. International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)-reported the operating margin was also 4.7%.

"I am pleased to report we had a strong second quarter,” said Muller in a statement. “Our overall results confirm the strength and breadth of our brand portfolio. Our brands' unparalleled understanding of customers, broad assortments, and product offerings as well as the stickiness of food-at-home consumption are giving us the opportunity to play to our strengths and support customers in a challenging environment.”

Citing a consistent and robust performance of its U.S. brands, Muller reported that “we maintained a healthy underlying operating profit. Net consumer online sales grew by 16.4% during the quarter.”

Alongside Food Lion’s performance, Muller recognized another U.S. banner’s plans for growth.

“Stop & Shop has taken the next steps in its remodeling program with the announcement of a $140 million investment across its New York City stores over the next two years,” Muller said. “This targeted investment aims to improve the shopping experience for local customers by adding thousands of new products to the assortment that reflect the diversity of the neighborhoods and communities Stop & Shop serves.”

The company said it is furthering its commitment to sustainability. Earlier this month, the Dutch retailer named its first chief sustainability officer to lead the company’s strategies and goals around sustainability, healthy eating, social impact, ethics, human rights and governance.

During the second quarter, Muller noted the publication of the company’s second Human Rights Report in June. He also highlighted Giant Food’s recent partnership with Loop, a circular reuse platform, to bring reusable packaging solutions to customers.

Ahold Delhaize banner stores in the U.S. include Stop & Shop, Hannaford, Martin’s, Giant Food and Food Lion.