Only 30% market share? Not round here in Amstelveen/Aalsmeer. We once had C1000, but after the buy-out of a number of stores AH is THE only choice, and as shop keepers they're dreadful. Shelves continually empty. Rotten fruit and veg on display. Items out of stock for weeks. More competition, please!

By Loma Russ | February 8, 2010 4:47 PM

Having taken over 'several dozen' supermarket outlets from competitor C1000 it would be remarkable if Albert Heijn had not managed to increase its share of the Dutch grocery market. I suggest that the effect of the takeover on C1000 staff would be a story of greater interest than simply reprinting AH's corporate hype.

By Michael Dawkes | February 9, 2010 2:45 AM

That AH increases its market share could hardly be a result of their excellence as a food store/supermarket chain, but rather an indication of how poor the alternatives are - a case of consumer turning to the least bad alternative.
The lack of interest, on AH's part, in the customer's want for choice and the way one, on any given day, e.g. finds the shelves gaping empty to a lesser or greater degree, makes me sense that there is a considerable contempt for the customer all the way from the AH headquarters via store managers down to the employees stocking the shelves.
I can't believe the average Dutch person is so uninterested in what he or she eats that it explains the flaw. Here is work cut out for the competition authorities, e.g., to look at how the market is (not) working and take necessary steps to get it going to a better track.

By Nils Morner | February 9, 2010 7:54 AM

You know the AH commercials that always show the well stocked, big aisles, happy kassa's, jovial store manager...where is that? Because all of the AH's in metro Amsterdam are beyond pathetic!

By tomkat | February 9, 2010 7:57 AM

Well, I hear you Nils, I hear all of you in fact, but I've also had Dutch colleagues tell me 'Why do you need more than two choices?' (regarding the lack of product choices on the shelves in AH)- seriously! This is their mentality so they're not exactly pushing the conglomerate to provide.
It's distressing seeing more and more big conglomerates forming because they are pushing out the smaller ma and pa shops, and are providing us with a poor selection on top of that, but I don't see any way round that for us consumers unfortunately. I feel for you guys in Amstelveen, I don't have a car so am only able to reach the stores I can get to by bike, so I understand your problem. Ironically, I live in Zaandam - where AH head office is, yet I never use AH any more! Zaandam is fortunate enough to have Vomar, Dirk, Dekamarkt, Aldi and Lidl to choose from as well, and all of those are nearer to where I live than AH! And personally, I find them to offer better selections and lower prices (in many cases) than AH, not to mention a better quality of fruit and veg.
For those who can, don't do AH any more favours, shop elsewhere. For the others, try lobbying other supermarkets to come to your area.

By Cath | February 9, 2010 1:40 PM

I echo the complaints above against AH, their service is appalling and they only seem to be interested in selling their own brand.
I once bought some confectionary (from an A-grade AH store) and found it tasted rancid, on inspecting the package I was horrified to see it was 3 weeks expired!! The next day I went back to the store and checked the shelf and the same stock was still there, after which I complained. I was promptly told it cannot be, at which point I took the officer to the shelf for proof. Only then that they showed a hint of embarassment, and offered me a refund of 1 Euro for what I purchased, and a bottle of wine, which I took only so that the complaint would be recorded, because there was no record of my complaint, no names asked or anything.
If I can help it I shop everywhere else and use AH as a last resort, unfortunately, they are the closest to my home. The NL supermarkets are the worst I have experienced in the world, and that includes several developing countries.

By AC | February 9, 2010 2:26 PM

I live in Belgium just over the border from Maastricht. There is a small Delhaize super market (I say small because it has half the space of the big AHs in Maastricht) but the selection of products is so much better and the people there are nice. Also the meat doesn't turn to water when you fry it as it does from AH! I think everyone has an AH horror story to tell...maybe a new plot for a book?
;-P

By AW | February 9, 2010 3:41 PM

Last time I visited AH was for a pack of butter costing €0,84c. I got a funny look from the check-out girl like, "That's it?"

AH is good for the odd forgotten item, but to do all your shopping from them is one big rip-off!

Save 100's of €'s per year and shop by the LIDL or ALDI, (If you can be bothered.)

By stevie | February 9, 2010 11:38 PM

I am an A/H shareholder forever,if they are doing so good then why havent the shareholders received any dividends? A/H,Bah,I,m ready to dump them.

By Bob V Miami,Florida | February 10, 2010 12:29 AM