“I am thrilled to contribute to the acceleration of the sustainable growth of our brands in Romania and am very glad to return to the country to further strengthen our leadership position,” said Xavier. “I am grateful to Claude for the support and the opportunity, and I look forward to working closely with local leadership and the teams to drive growth together and deliver enhanced value for customers and partners.”

Building on years of experience in supporting healthier dietary choices and working with healthy sales targets, Ahold Delhaize is increasingly helping customers to make more sustainable choices. The brands’ strategies are tailored to their local markets and customer preferences. These include:

• Actively promoting plant-based product ranges and offering lower-carbon animal protein assortments.
• Working together with farmers and partners to reduce emissions of animal protein products.
• Leveraging loyalty programs and incentives to encourage customers to choose plant-based alternatives.
• Investing in inspiration and education, helping customers discover the benefits of healthier and more sustainable choices.

For more information and examples of our local brands’ approaches to healthier and more sustainable choices, please visit this webpage.
 

In 2022, Dutch brand Albert Heijn set its current protein split target of 60% plant-based sales by 2030.
 

-Ends-

Notes

• *Romanian food retailer Profi became part of the Ahold Delhaize family of brands in January 2025 and is not yet part of this target.
• The EAT Lancet Commission concluded in its report that a diet rich in plant-based foods and with fewer animal-derived foods confers both improved health and environmental benefits.
• Link to European Commission Farm to Fork strategy, including a section on protein transition.

Ahold Delhaize’s digital convergence journey 
This launch marks the final milestone in a six-country implementation. The first market to go live was Albert in the Czech Republic in February 2024. It was followed by Maxi in Serbia and Delhaize in Belgium in July, Delhaize Luxembourg in September, Mega Image in Romania in November and Alfa Beta in Greece completing the rollout. 

Gerhard van der Bijl, CTO Ahold Delhaize Europe & Indonesia: “Our new app showcases the value of engineering, of implementing technology at scale for our brands across Europe. We take pride not only in the product delivery, but also in the collaborative journey that made it possible. Successfully delivering all releases in a complex, multi-brand environment underscores our commitment to agility and innovation. This initiative not only enhances our customer experience but also drives substantial business value and positions us for sustained growth in the future. With this newly developed customer platform we have a strong foundation for customer innovation in the future.”  

Key features for customers of Ahold Delhaize’s European brands 

• Intuitive interface: Enhanced communication and improved accessibility for a seamless user experience.  
• Web-based login and registration: improved security measures to keep our customer data safe. 
• Retail media integration: Special offers and products recommended to customers based on their shopping history. 
• Cookie consent management: Ensuring transparency and giving customers control over how their data is used.  
• Larger product images and improved customer navigation: Making online shopping easier while offering a more visually appealing experience.  
• Multiple quantities of free products in exchange for points: Enabling customers to redeem more rewards. 

The journey ahead 
This series of launches is a strong example of strategic collaboration among Ahold Delhaize brands, as well as a foundation for delivering a vibrant customer experience that leverages scale and operational excellence​. Ahold Delhaize and its brands remain committed to continuously strengthening their shared technology foundation to drive cost efficiencies, accelerate innovation and support the customers of tomorrow.  

January 20, 2025 – Ahold Delhaize is proud to announce that the Top Employer Institute (TEI) has recognized both the company and the majority of its great local brands as Top Employers in 2025. This certification recognizes organizations that are dedicated to cultivating great places to work through excellent Human Resources policies and people practices. 

The Top Employer certification highlights Ahold Delhaize’s progress in its Thriving People strategic priority, part of its broader Growing Together strategy, which drives the company’s aspiration to be the leading (#1 or #2) employer of choice in each market. TEI has assessed our brands’ policies and unique practices, which may differ from one another. The recognition celebrates efforts to foster a caring, purpose-driven environment where the brands’ employees are valued, inspired, and empowered to grow and collaborate.  

In 2025, Ahold Delhaize Group and all of its U.S. brands – including ADUSA – achieved the Top Employer certification, alongside several European brands such as Mega Image (Romania), Maxi (Serbia), Alfa Beta (Greece), and Albert (Czechia). The assessment, based on TEI’s HR Best Practices Survey, evaluates organizations based on several areas, including people strategy, work environment, talent acquisition, learning, diversity, equity & inclusion, and well-being. 

“We are a people business. Receiving this certification is positive confirmation that our HR strategy is driving meaningful progress across all these areas,” says Natalia Wallenberg, CHRO of Ahold Delhaize. “It's testament to the  efforts of teams in the local brands and Ahold Delhaize Group, recognizing initiatives that prioritize connection with our purpose, collaboration and well-being, while supporting our brands’ communities. “It also proves that Ahold Delhaize is staying true to its promise: to create a supportive workplace that encourages growth and teamwork, where everyone feels heard, valued, and finds purpose in serving our communities.”  

Thanks to an ongoing collaboration between our great local brands, customers will find a broader range of new products including more plant-based and organic choices, as well as redesigned packaging and innovations on existing food products. Our brands’ customers are now able to enjoy an even wider selection of own-brand staples, such as Nature’s Promise, Perla coffee and tea, Delicata chocolate and Gustona. This expansion is part of an extensive harmonization project that aims to offer an enriched, high-quality product range across the region. The CSE brands have introduced around 500 new items, bringing the total products introduced through the project to 800. 

Streamlining production and processes
By working together on their own-brand assortments over the past three years, the brands are able to differentiate their offering from competitors, providing high-quality, healthy and affordable options that customers greatly value. At the same time, they are streamlining the entire production and distribution process.

This CSE harmonization project marks a great step towards Ahold Delhaize’s ambitious group target of 45% of total food sales coming from own-brand products by 2028. Rembrandt Heerkens Thijssen, Director EU Sourcing CSE, comments: “This dynamic collaboration between our CSE brands allows us to make positive changes at scale, bringing innovations and the latest product improvements to customers across the region.”

Small packaging adjustments, big impact
The project team is also rebranding some existing products to unify them under new packaging and labeling. "As part of the harmonization, we’re developing packaging that will be consistent across all countries, with four-language labeling," explains Ivo Ředina, Own Brand Development Director.

The support and collaboration of local suppliers in the CSE markets are of great value, in providing high-quality ingredients, unique recipes and product innovations. Their partnership enables us to introduce new trends in health and convenience.

Rembrandt concludes: “While the harmonization process has its challenges, it’s well worth it. And customers seem to agree. The team has seen comparable sales growth of over 20% compared with the previous year. One great example is the plant-based milks which have shown a three-fold uplift since last year. This is a massive team effort that we can all be proud of.”

Mircea Moga, Brand President Mega Image: “Mega Image is very excited that it now has a Romanian sister-company under the umbrella of Ahold Delhaize. The combination between our two brands will complement and expand Ahold Delhaize’s existing Romanian footprint and allow us to better serve the consumers in Romania. We are excited about the opportunities this partnership brings, through our combined cultures, expertise, and resources. This alignment will allow us to serve our customers more efficiently, support our teams in their professional growth, and foster sustainable business practices within our communities."
 

About the transaction

Profi is a leading traditional grocery retailer in Romania, operating around 1,700 supermarkets and convenience stores. It is known for its strong assortment and value for customers. In the twelve months ending June 2024, the company generated €2.7 billion in net sales. The combination will complement and expand Ahold Delhaize’s existing Romanian footprint to better serve customers in both urban and rural areas. The strong format fit and complementary customer propositions between the Profi and Mega Image brands will drive synergies.

Ahold Delhaize expects Profi to add around €3 billion in net sales to its financial results in 2025. Profi is expected to have a neutral impact on Ahold Delhaize’s 2025 diluted underlying earnings per share. Additional details on the impact to Ahold Delhaize’s financial results will be provided on February 12^th as part of its 2025 outlook.

The intention to acquire Profi was announced on 30 October 2023 and recently approved by the Romanian Competition Council (RCC), subject to post-closing obligations regarding the relationships with suppliers in the Romanian retail market as well as the divestment of 87 stores, as further detailed by the RCC in its related announcement.

BofA Securities and Goldman Sachs acted as financial advisors to Ahold Delhaize; CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang and GNP Guia Naghi & Partners acted as legal advisors.

Ahold Delhaize and our great local brands are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion with ongoing efforts to create a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. It is a topic that is part of the Ahold Delhaize DNA and comes to life in our values of courage, integrity, and care.  

Hannaford 
Hannaford supports young people living with a neurodiverse diagnosis by encouraging independent living and job readiness skills. In order to provide a real-life experience in grocery shopping, Hannaford Supermarkets donated grocery shelving and a checkout station, complete with conveyor belt and bagging area to the Maine Behavioral Healthcare’s Glickman Lauder Center of Excellence in Autism and Developmental Disorders (GLCOE).  

The dedicated grocery training area is a 28,000 square foot innovative facility that opened in August 2021. In addition to outpatient treatment for all ages, the center includes a life-skills room with a grocery shopping station as well as special chairs for practice with getting haircuts, dental care and health care. 

“These are more than just nice activities – if a person is unable to do these things it can result in serious problems, such as feeling overwhelmed in the grocery checkout line, a dentist’s chair, or in a doctor’s office.  We are thrilled to have this resource to provide practice in these key life experiences,” said Dr. Matthew Siegel, vice president of medical affairs for autism and developmental disorders 

“Going to the grocery store is being part of the community, so we are proud to partner with the Glickman Lauder Center (GLCOE) in helping neurodiverse members of our community develop new skills related to the shopping experience,” said Eric Blom, Hannaford spokesman. “We are so thankful for the work being done at the Center every day to help people with autism and developmental disorders lead full, rich lives.” 

Hannaford also supports associate initiatives such as Chris Heel's annual autism fundraiser. Chris started a 5K walk to benefit the Autism Society of Maine (ASM) when he was high school student. What started off as a senior year project has now turned into an annual event on Mount Desert Island. Since Chris started his "senior project", he has raised over $30,000 to help support nonprofits including the ASM. 
 

Stop & Shop  
Stop & Shop honored Autism Awareness Month and promoted acceptance for the condition that occurs in one out of every 44 children in the U.S. SVP Human Resources, Maria Silvestri, wrote a personal message to associates, sharing some of her experience as a grandmother of a neurodiverse child who is living with an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis, and invited associates to virtual events during the month, presented by the United Nations and the NIH (National Institute of Mental Health), and the OARC (Office of Autism Research Coordination), to increase their own awareness, acceptance and inclusion. 
 

Mega Image 
The Urban Garden project, developed by CONIL Before & After-school Center for children living with autism, is supported by Mega Image through their “Project of Today for Tomorrow” 2021 program. On April 5, children living with a disability had the opportunity to plant flowers, vegetables and fruits in an urban garden with the help of teachers and Mega Image representatives. The objective is to support and promote healthy eating for children, and to also provide learning and recreative activities in a therapeutic way. 

As Diversity Month is recognized during May in Europe, Mega Image will also raise awareness of diversity and inclusion via its strong involvement in a number of initiatives. This includes helping displaced Ukrainian people integrate into life in Romania by welcoming them into Mega Image’s community and providing employment opportunities in its warehouses, headquarters or 900+ stores. Moreover, associates are offered the opportunity to support social causes, through Mega Image’s internal volunteering program, 12 Acts of kindness. 

Mega Image will also continue its online series of events, Community Talks, with a new edition focused on “Pandemic vs War: The impact of social context on women”. Ileana Alexandru, HR VP; representatives of She is Mom digital platform; and a psychologist will discuss the topic. Furthermore, Mega Image will support the Lead Network community by joining its “Breaking the Biases” event, where Ileana Alexandru, HR VP, will join as a guest speaker. 

The Giant Company  
As part of Diversity Month in the U.S. The GIANT Company honored Autism acceptance by focusing on their commitment to building a culture of acceptance and inclusion. This month and every month, The GIANT Company strives to break down all physical, intellectual, and sensory barriers so that all people, including individuals with autism, can reach their fullest potential, regardless of their unique strengths and challenges. 

Throughout April, team members were encouraged to wear Autism Acceptance pins provided by The GIANT Company to foster inclusion and were also encouraged to wear blue on World Autism Awareness Day. Stories and experiences of team members with autism were also shared throughout the month and vendor partner Popcorn for the People was recognized for its efforts to create meaningful employment for individuals with Autism and other spectrum diagnoses. The GIANT Company’s DE&I Team and BARRIER FREE Business Resource Group also hosted a virtual event for team members called “From Awareness to Acceptance” to build a better understanding and embrace everyone's differences. 

Additionally, The GIANT Company also supported community events with the shared vision of celebrating diversity, building equity and promoting inclusion, including the local YWCA Race Against Racism and 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge, Race for Resources for Autism Cares Foundation of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the Kinney Walk/Run for Autism, and an Autism Awareness Luncheon in Philadelphia.   

Giant Food 
Giant Food recognizes and celebrates neurodiversity in various ways, and it is committed to breaking down barriers to allow all people to succeed. Below are just some examples on how Giant Food is committed to this. 

Giant Food stores partner with their local schools to provide “on-the-job” experience with the assistance of a job coach to students with disabilities. Students are hired and paid for several hours each week learning general tasks that help them build customer service and teamwork skills that are useful for any future career of their choice. Through these programs Giant Food has hired many associates with disabilities, creating a better diverse and inclusive company culture.  

For many years, Giant Food has been a sponsor of the Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities. This is an independent, non-profit advocacy organization focused on improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families in the District of Columbia and beyond. In 2021, Giant Food sponsored the Quality Trust “Back Together Luncheon,” an opportunity for their staff, supporters, and stakeholders and specifically the people with developmental disabilities they support; who have said they are experiencing depression as they have had to isolate for over a year and a half and want to be with people. 

During Autism Acceptance month throughout April, Giant Food associates also showed their support and acceptance of the Autism community by wearing red while working in stores, distribution centers, delivery centers and the office.

Delhaize Serbia  
Honoring Diversity Month, Delhaize Serbia is spotlighting its collaboration with the Creative and Educational Center (CEC), an organization focused on the inclusion of persons living with a mental or intellectual disability through a range of programs, initiatives and partnerships. These initiatives allow people living with a neurodiverse diagnosis to improve their quality of life, provide preparation for an independent life, social inclusion, future employment, as well as raising awareness to the general population and breaking prejudice.  

One of the most successful initiatives between CEC and Delhaize Serbia is its work-ready program. Participants of the program learn about store processes and gain experience across the stores in Belgrade, three times a week for one hour. This program has been successful not just for enhancing inclusion, but for also building awareness and a better understanding of neurodiverse diagnoses among associates and customers. This year, the program will be renewed for a 10th time and soon a new group of participants will take part in the program across Delhaize Serbia stores. 

At Ahold Delhaize, the inclusion of people with disabilities is a priority. More importantly, it is vital be fully reflective of all communities. Therefore, many of our local brands have and are continuously working on several partnerships and initiatives while creating opportunities to support all associates and customers within local communities. Below are just some examples of how our brands are working towards achieving an inclusive workplace for all:  

Delhaize Serbia 

For Delhaize Serbia, the inclusion of people with disabilities is not only a strategic priority in its Diversity & Inclusion agenda, but it’s also their aspiration to be fully reflective of their marketplace. To achieve an inclusive workplace, it’s more than employment, it’s also about everyday activities. This year, Delhaize Serbia achieved the following in being a better inclusive workplace:  

• Its commerce team extended cooperation with two diverse suppliers: Novitas, a local supplier of fruits and vegetables and Gardenika, a seller dried fruit rolls. Both companies' majority of employees are people with disabilities.  
• The quality and product safety team took initiative to assure that all their e-trainings for associates are fully accessible, including narration and subtitles.  

Delhaize Serbia’s journey doesn’t end here, it is continuously working towards a better and inclusive workplace for people with disabilities.  

Giant Food 

Giant Food has several partnerships and initiatives throughout the year to support associates and customers with disabilities. Below are some of Giant Food’s initiatives which they’re continuously working to expand:  

• Giant Food stores partner with their local schools to provide “on-the-job” experience with an assistance of a job coach, to students with disabilities. Students will be hired and paid for several hours each week learning general tasks that help them build customer service and teamworking skills that are useful for any future career of their choice. Through these programs Giant Food has hired many associates with disabilities, creating a better diverse and inclusive company culture.  
• Giant Food’s WIN (Women’s Inclusion Network) increased awareness during Autism Acceptance Month by hosting an EMPOWER Hour featuring expert speaker, Jane Lynn Britton where she discussed balancing work and family life for Autism Families during the pandemic. This brought an increased awareness about the Autism community and showcased the importance of empathizing with associates and customers. In addition, Giant Food associates showed their support and acceptance of the Autism community by wearing red while in working in stores. 
• Giant Food has been a sponsor of Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities for many years. This is an independent, non-profit advocacy organization focused on improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families in the District of Columbia and beyond. They work with people and their family members to solve problems, identify opportunities for learning and contribution, Quality Trust looks for creative ways to minimize differences and make the most of each person’s abilities.  
• The Giant Pharmacy partners with the Arc of Prince George’s County in Maryland to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to community members with developmental/intellectual disabilities. Many of the community members that go to the Arc of Prince George’s County cannot get to a Giant Pharmacy and are more comfortable at the Arc so the Giant Pharmacy has setup a base there where people can come and get their COVID-19 vaccination. Giant Pharmacists will even go out to the car of the people that visit to give them the shot if they are unable to enter the building. Giant Food now looks forward to partnering with the Arc of Prince George’s County going forward. Giant will hold flu vaccinations and other pharmaceutical events there to support people with disabilities. 

Food Lion 

Food Lion supports disability awareness by providing job opportunities and a sense of belonging to associates living with a disability. William Kidwell joined Food Lion a little more than two years ago as a cashier, through the Center for Independent Living, which provides employment assistance for individuals with disabilities. William became a triple amputee following a motorcycle accident in 1995 and he spent four months in the hospital. William shares why he feels he belongs at Food Lion.  

“I’m part of the team. They count on me. When we need more people to work, I’m asked like everyone else. I run lane #7, the express lane. Customers know I’m going to be there. We focus on what I can do and that means a lot to me.”  

“I feel accepted by everyone at my store. One example of acceptance is that even though I run the express lane, some customers with a basket full of groceries just want to check out with me. They know me and I know them. They want that personal experience. Managers jump into help so we can just keep the lane moving. It’s great to feel that connection and support.”  

“At our store we love Shop & Earn. It feels great for me to teach customers about it. We show them how to use it on their phones and I can see their smiles when they see those savings. I love to help people like that.” 

“I love my job and it began with Food Lion giving me a chance. Lots of other people would have looked at me and focused on what I couldn’t do because of my disabilities. Food Lion believed in me and told me I could do it. Leaders told me I’d be good out front. That gave me the confidence I needed to show everyone what I could do. We really have a good team. I love it, I do. 

More news

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Ahold Delhaize aims to have nutrition navigation systems in all its markets by 2025.  In 2018, Delhaize Belgium was the first Belgian retailer to adopt the Nutri-Score label, and the Maxi, Tempo and Shop & Go stores in Serbia followed in 2020. Albert Heijn has been conducting a series of pilots since 2019 and is looking forward to implementing the system. Our U.S. brands use the Guiding Stars navigation system on their own-brand ranges. Having our Romanian brand make this step is another important milestone in helping customers make informed food decisions.

In Romania, the Nutri-Score has already been calculated for approximately 1,500 Mega Image own brand products, across both local (Gusturi românești, Mega Apetit) and imported (Delhaize, 365 essential and Delicata) brands. For the imported own brands, the label is already included on the front of the packaging, and for the local brands, the Nutri-Score is currently shown on the shelf next to the price label but will gradually be included on packaging. Mega Image also plan to add the Nutri-Score rating online in the future.

The new #MegaStreetFood concept has its origin in international retail trends, with stores offering customers new experiences and becoming places where they can not only shop but also enjoy a tasty meal. The popularity of street food restaurants in the cities and at festivals in Romania has also influenced the development of the concept.  

#MegaStreetFood has a festival vibe in the design of the space, furniture and branding as well as the flavors from each restaurant, where great food is prepared in front of customers. It is located in a busy business and residential area of Bucharest, perfect for people on-the-go, who need quick and tasty meal solutions.  The four different culinary specialties are offered by well-known restaurant brands: 

• STEAKAWAY, bringing grilled recipes, from juicy burgers or pastrami sandwiches, to veal ribs, all prepared with premium, New Zealand- and South American-sourced meat.  
• ZA GERMAN, with German cuisine food and their already famous Currywurst, Bratwurst or Kaiserkrainer  
• LA FINCA BY ALIOLI, with a Spanish cuisine menu varying from traditional paella or fish burgers to calamari sandwiches, all prepared with quality ingredients from Spain.  
• PANE & POMODORO, with authentic pizza and pasta from the Campania Region, prepared by Neapolitan pizzaioli artisans.