The discovery is likely to lead to further resignations at the company, which has seen the departure of its chief executive, chief financial officer and nine other senior executives since the scandal erupted in February.

Internal accounting investigations have revealed further accounting irregularities primarily at its US subsidiary Tops Markets. Tops operates 370 supermarkets and convenience stores in New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

A spokesman for the retailer said: These irregularities approximately amount to $29million.' Following news of the latest scandal breaking shares fell.

The shares almost halved earlier this year when Ahold announced in February that it had overstated its Foodservice subsidiary's profits at approximately $880million.

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