Investor Relations

Cautionary notice

This interim report includes forward-looking statements, which do not refer to historical facts but refer to expectations based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those included in such statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements as to the sales trend in the second quarter of 2012, 2012 being another challenging year for the food retail industry, continuing focus on improving Ahold’s competitive position through cost reductions and the overall simplification of Ahold’s processes, continuing investment in growth, Ahold’s online growth, steps to make Ahold’s capital structure more efficient by investing in growth, reducing debt and returning cash to shareholders and continuing commitment to an investment grade credit rating, the progress of Ahold’s strategy and cost savings program, the completion of the acquisition of the Genuardi’s and C1000/Jumbo stores and the conversion of the acquired C1000/Jumbo stores to the Albert Heijn banner. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond Ahold’s ability to control or estimate precisely, such as the effect of general economic or political conditions, fluctuations in exchange rates or interest rates, increases or changes in competition, Ahold’s ability to implement and complete successfully its plans and strategies, the benefits from and resources generated by Ahold’s plans and strategies being less than or different from those anticipated, changes in Ahold’s liquidity needs, the actions of competitors and third parties and other factors discussed in Ahold’s public filings and other disclosures. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this interim report. Ahold does not assume any obligation to update any public information or forward-looking statements in this interim report to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable laws. Outside the Netherlands, Koninklijke Ahold N.V., being its registered name, presents itself under the name of “Royal Ahold” or simply “Ahold”.