Q1 2025 business highlights: Solid performance across our brands
May 7, 2025 – Today, Ahold Delhaize released its first-quarter results for 2025. During this solid quarter, our brands remained focused on delivering value and convenience to customers across all markets. We continued to advance our omnichannel capabilities, drive loyalty through personalized engagement, and invest in modern, sustainable stores to better serve our local communities.
This quarter brought its share of challenges related to ongoing geopolitical and macroeconomic volatility. In these times, our brands stay fiercely committed to serving our customers and communities, focusing on targeted efforts in pricing, own-brand expansion, and more. Whether responding to the evolving needs of customers, supporting communities in times of hardship, or driving innovation in food retail, we’re proud of the impact our teams continue to make every day.
Leveraging scale to make local impact
This quarter marked an important milestone in our growth journey with the completion of the acquisition of Profi Rom Food SRL. This move doubled our retail footprint in Romania, enabling us to deliver even more value, variety, and convenience to customers. It also demonstrates our commitment to use our collective strengths to grow in markets where we already operate, while deepening our connection to local communities.
Our commitment to people and communities was further recognized in January, when the Top Employers Institute (TEI) certified Ahold Delhaize Group and all our U.S. brands, alongside several of our European brands as Top Employers. This reflects our dedication to creating a purpose-driven, supportive environment where associates are empowered to thrive. In February, we were proud to be named among the top 1% of employers globally, receiving the prestigious Leading Employers award, which underscores the progress we've made on our Thriving People strategic priority as part of our broader Growing Together strategy.
Improving customer experiences & innovation
At Ahold Delhaize, delivering vibrant and accessible shopping experiences, both in-store and online, remains a top priority. This quarter, Ahold Delhaize USA (ADUSA) partnered with Inmar Intelligence to enhance the customer journey through more efficient and targeted digital offers. In the first quarter of this year, ADUSA brands delivered over 3.2 billion in personalized offers to its customers, which is an increase of 25%.
We also continued to advance our technology agenda. In March, Ahold Delhaize hosted its second annual MLOps (Machine Learning Operations) Conference at our headquarters in Zaandam, the Netherlands. Bringing together over 130 tech professionals, the event was a hub for knowledge sharing and collaboration, reinforcing our focus on operational excellence and innovation through cutting-edge technology.
Supporting healthy communities & planet
Ahold Delhaize is committed to supporting the transition to a healthy, sustainable food system. For us, this means providing affordable, healthy food while partnering to drive decarbonization, protect nature and reduce waste. In March, we successfully priced a €500 million 8-year Sustainability-Linked Bond, which was oversubscribed due to great interest. This milestone in aligning our funding strategy with our sustainability agenda fits within our Healthy Communities and Planet strategic priority.
We are pleased that our strategy is receiving external recognition, for example through the validation of our climate targets by the Science Based Targets initiative. Furthermore, Ahold Delhaize received an A– climate rating from CDP.
Our ambition to empower healthier choices continues to grow. In January, our European food retail brands announced a consolidated target, aiming for 50% plant-based food sales by 2030. This goal promotes a gradual shift toward affordable, nutritious, and diverse plant-rich diets, directly supporting our health and climate ambitions by reducing carbon emissions, while providing greater value and choice for customers that cater to different lifestyles.
In the U.S., Food Lion reached its ambitious goal to donate 1.5 billion meals to neighbors facing food insecurity, months ahead of schedule. Food Lion Feeds also announced that it would double its impacts and reach 3 billion plates by 2032.
In Europe, our Belgium brand Delhaize has been recognized for its leadership in health and sustainability by the latest Business Impact Assessments by Sciensano. Specifically, it achieved top scores for various sustainability efforts such as its corporate sustainability strategy, packaging initiatives, and waste management policies. For example, Delhaize is tackling food waste by partnering with start-up Wastech, exploring ways to convert food waste into animal feed using insect larvae.
Across the Benelux region, bol improved its packaging processes, reducing cardboard usage by 27%, glue by 60%, and achieving a 28% reduction in CO₂ emissions per package.
Our teams across our local brands will continue to work hard in serving the communities they operate in.