Ahold Delhaize

Online operations of big grocery chains maneuvered through the dot-com devastation and are now showing positive signs of life. They're finding that the payoffs from Internet retailing reach beyond incremental sales.

ZAANDAM, THE NETHERLANDS - Ahold on Wednesday announced its intention to divest wholly-owned subsidiary De Tuinen, a chain of 65 natural product stores located throughout the Netherlands.

AMSTERDAM - Dutch retailer Royal Ahold NV said Thursday that its US Foodservice unit has signed an agreement to purchase St. Louis, Missouri-based food distributor Allen Foods.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Delhaize-owned Food Lion Inc. plans to open up to 60 stores next year, the Charlotte Business Journal reports. Up to 20 of the new stores could feature a newer design that includes wider aisles and a more decorative theme.

AMSTERDAM - Ahold NV, the world's third-largest food retailer, said Tuesday net profit declined 15 percent to 257.6 million euros ($256 million) in the third quarter and lowered its full-year outlook.

PARAMUS, N.J. - Albertson's and Toys "R" Us Inc. are teaming to conduct a limited test of Toys "R" Us Toy Box stores within Albertson's Jewel-Osco stores in the Midwest.

SKOKIE, Ill. - Online grocer Peapod Inc., a subsidiary of Royal Ahold, on Tuesday said it has expanded its delivery service to 14 Chicago suburbs and the South Side community of Beverly, Crain's Chicago Business reports.

QUINCY, Mass. - Twenty years after opening its first Super Stop & Shop, the Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, a division of Ahold, has announced the opening of its first new prototype supermarkets in Walpole, Mass., and Rhinebeck, N.Y.