Supermarket group Ahold saw sales rise 2% in the second quarter of 2007 to €6.6bn, in line with analysts’ expectations.

Market conditions were positive in both the Netherlands and the US although earnings in the US were under pressure from the weak dollar and the cost of rebuilding stores, the company said.
The group earns 60% of sales in the US and is currently revamping its Stop&Shop and Giant Landover operations.
In the Netherlands, sales at flagship supermarket group Albert Heijn rose over 10% to €1.8bn. Excluding new stores, sales rose 6.2%.