Ahold’s operational profit on the Czech market fell to CZK 18m from CZK 170m last year. At the same time, revenues jumped 30 percent to CZK 10.9bn. The Dutch food retailer’s 2014 results in the Czech Republic were influenced by its takeover of 49 Spar hypermarkets. Overall, the group reported a 16-percent increase in its operational profit to €301m y-o-y, and its net profit jumped by one-third to €195m. Revenues rose 17 percent to €8.7bn. Ahold agreed to merge with its Belgian competitor Delhaize in June. The group will be renamed Ahold Delhaize and is expected to be the fourth largest retail chain in Europe. The merger should be completed next year, according to Ahold’s head, Dick Boer.
