Sales decline for Dutch retailer ahold in Q3

Dutch retailer Ahold N.V. on Thursday reported a decline in sales and operating income in the third quarter. Ahold's net sales were 7.4 billion euros (10 billion U.S. dollars), down 3.1 percent on the same period last year. At constant exchange rates, net sales went up by 0.6 percent. Its operating income in the third quarter was 248 million euros (334 million dollars), down 40 million euros (54 million dollars), or 13.9 percent, due to its restructuring measures related to closure of six stores and three gas stations in New Hampshire. On the same day, Ahold closed its business in Slovakia due to the company's limited market position. "An exit from this country enables the management to focus on its continued successful improvement in the Czech Republic business," the company said. Ahold's third quarter net sales in the Czech Republic and Slovakia in total fell 4 percent to 363 million euros (490 million dollars). "With limited sales growth, we gained market share in the supermarket segment and maintained our share in the all-outlet market," Ahold CEO Dick Boer said.