Ahold Delhaize

ZAANDAM, Netherlands - Ahold announced that its Williamsville, N.Y.-based Tops Markets subsidiary will divest its 204-unit convenience store chain as part of a previously announced effort to raise 2.5 billion euros as it emerges from an accounting scandal.

BRUSSELS - Delhaize Group here today said it will restructure its Tampa, Fla.-based Kash n' Karry subsidiary to focus on Florida's western Gold Coast, where it plans to open or remodel 20 stores. However, to redirect the resources to where they will benefit Kash n' Karry most, 34 underperforming stores will be closed or sold in the first quarter of 2004.

AMSTERDAM - Dutch food retail group Ahold reported today a 10.5 percent fall in 2003 sales, largely due to the dollar's weakness, and relief that the number was in line with expectations boosted shares by 6 percent.

Improved quality, line extensions, product innovation, and high margins crown private label as the dairy aisle's royalty.

Today's intense business climate raises the profiles of both strong and weak competitors. Here's a look at how some food retailers fared last year.

AMSTERDAM - Dutch retailer Ahold said today it had failed to reach an agreement to sell its controlling stake in the Argentine supermarket chain Disco to Chilean retailer Cencosud and had ended exclusive talks.

SAO PAULO, Brazil - A source close to the deal says Wal-Mart Stores Inc., is close to an agreement to purchase Bompreco, Brazil's third-biggest retailer, from Ahold, Reuters reports.

ZAANDAM, Netherlands - Ahold yesterday said it had established seven criteria that its new c.e.o. Anders Moberg would have to meet to receive a bonus for 2003.