Dutch retail group Royal Ahold has posted net sales of €6.7bn for the third quarter of 2010, up 10.8 per cent on the year-earlier figure.
The result boosts the company's performance for 2010, contributing to an overall 6.8 per cent increase in net sales for the first three quarters of the year to €22.6bn.
At constant exchange rates, net sales increased by 4.6 per cent, aided by business acquisitions in the first quarter of 2010, the group said.
Operating income for the third quarter, meanwhile, was €285m, 7.5 per cent up on the corresponding figure for 2009.
Net income of €223m, which included €16m of charges related to past divestments, was down €21m compared with the third quarter of last year.
CEO John Rishton commented: 'In an environment that remains challenging, we delivered another quarter of solid results. Sales were up 10.8 per cent, we delivered positive identical sales growth in the US and in Europe, operating income increased by 7.5 per cent and we grew volumes and market share in the US and the Netherlands.'
He added: 'We will continue to invest to deliver value to our customers while balancing sales and margins.'
