Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize (AD) AGM 2025 summary

Opening remarks and agenda

• Meeting opened with safety instructions, translation services, and voting procedures for shareholders in attendance.

• Chairman introduced the Management and Supervisory Boards, outlined agenda, and emphasized open, respectful dialogue.

• Voting procedures and shareholder participation rules were explained, with voting open throughout the meeting.

Financial performance review

• Net sales reached EUR 89.4 billion in 2024, with comparable sales up 1.2% and online sales up 10.4%.

• Underlying operating margin was 4%, with underlying operating income at EUR 3.6 billion and EPS at EUR 2.54.

• U.S. segment saw net sales down 0.7% (up 0.7% adjusted), with strong performance at Food Lion and Hannaford.

• Europe segment sales grew 3.5%, with market share gains and margin improvement driven by Belgium's affiliate model.

• Over EUR 1.35 billion in cost savings achieved in 2024, with free cash flow over EUR 2.5 billion.

Board and executive committee updates

• Proposals to appoint Per Bank and reappoint Jan Zijderveld to the Supervisory Board were discussed.

• Farewell to Bill McEwen, stepping down from the Supervisory Board.

• Audit, Finance and Risk Committee met five times, focusing on financial governance, risk, and major projects.