AHOLD RUNS WORLD CHAMPIONS PROGRAM

ZAANDAM, Netherlands -- Ahold here said it will launch its first global promotion Sept. 26.

pions, is scheduled to run simultaneously in most of Ahold's 32 supermarket chains as well as in the stores of most of the company's joint-venture partners.

For the promotion, Ahold has negotiated global master agreements with 15 international suppliers as well as more than 100 local suppliers. Both food and nonfood items are included in the campaign.

Among the U.S. chains participating are Bi-Lo, Mauldin, S.C.; Edwards Super Food Stores, Carlisle, Pa.; Giant Food, Landover, Md.; Giant Food Stores, Carlisle, Pa.; Stop & Shop Cos., Quincy, Mass.; Tops Friendly Markets, Buffalo, N.Y.; and Wilson Farms Neighbor C-Store, Buffalo, N.Y.

"This is the first time ever that we are taking advantage of our scale in a worldwide promotion benefiting our local customers and attracting new ones," said Gerard van Breen, Ahold's vice president for global sourcing. "We're in the process of rapidly developing coordinated buying among our operating companies and joint-venture partners."