Ahold sells 12 large hypermarkets in Poland to Carrefour

24/02/05 The Netherlands, Ahold has announced that it has completed the divestment of 12 large Hypernova hypermarkets in Poland to Carrefour.

Closing of the transaction, which was announced on November 15, 2004, was subject to the fulfillment of various conditions, including anti-trust approval.

This divestment is part of Ahold's strategy to optimize its portfolio and strengthen its financial position by reducing debt.

Later this year, Ahold expects to divest its 13th and only remaining large Hypernova hypermarket in Poland.

Ahold will focus its Polish activities on further development of its two other store formats: the supermarket and compact-hypermarket. Ahold Polska currently operates 170 supermarkets under the Albert banner and 13 compact-hypers that trade under the Hypernova name.