AHOLD TO BUY NETHERLANDS-BASED PRIMARKT

ZAANDAM, Netherlands -- Ahold here said last week its Netherlands-based subsidiary Albert Heijn plans to acquire the Dutch supermarket group Primarkt.

rt Heijn would support its goal of further expansion in the south of Netherlands, Ahold said.

Jan Andreae, Albert Heijn president, stressed that the deal would lead to enhanced market presence and new synergies.

"The Primarkt stores have an attractive format and strong market positions," he said. "This acquisition reinforces our presence in the south of the country. Primarkt is an excellent company with a sophisticated customer focus similar to Albert Heijn's."

Henk Thijssen, managing director of the Primarkt Group, said, "The sale of our stores to Albert Heijn ensures their continuity. It also means that stores and customers will benefit from international scope and added-values Ahold and Albert Heijn offer."

The transaction is expected to close within a few months.

Royal Ahold is an international food retailer with sales of $18 billion U.S. Ahold owns 15 retail companies in the United States and Europe with almost 2,500 supermarkets and specialty stores and recently announced expansion plans into Southeast Asian markets. Albert Heijn is the leading supermarket company in Netherlands, with a 27% market share. Ahold employs 135,000 worldwide.