Ahold Delhaize Achieves E-commerce Profitability, 2025 a Potential Year for Grocery Retailers

Ahold Delhaize has achieved e-commerce profitability on a fully allocated basis, citing its focus on asset-light fulfillment models, boosting fulfillment capacity, and automating key operations. CEO Frans Muller credits the company's reliance on stores to fulfill orders and retail media as key factors. The industry's largest players, such as Walmart and Kroger, are also working to achieve online profitability, but smaller grocers may continue to struggle with high digital costs.

Ahold Delhaize has announced a significant milestone in its digital transformation journey, achieving e-commerce profitability on a fully allocated basis. This achievement is a testament to the company's strategic focus on asset-light fulfillment models, boosting fulfillment capacity, and automating key operations. CEO Frans Muller credited the company's reliance on stores to fulfill orders and the integration of retail media as key factors contributing to this success [3].

During the second quarter of 2025, Ahold Delhaize recorded comparable-store sales growth excluding fuel of 3.4% in the U.S. Net sales for the quarter came in at approximately €13 billion ($15 billion), an increase of about 2% at constant exchange rates compared to the year-ago period. Online sales rose year over year by 16.4% [3].

The company's online sales in Q2 grew 14.4%, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. This growth is attributed to the company's shift towards less asset-intensive same-day delivery, boosting fulfillment capacity, and automating operations. Muller noted that the company expanded its e-commerce market share in both Europe and the U.S. [3].

Ahold Delhaize's omnichannel strategy is paying off, with the company achieving e-commerce profitability on a fully allocated basis in the first half of 2025. This milestone is a significant achievement for the industry's largest players, including Walmart and Kroger, who are also working to achieve online profitability. However, smaller grocers may continue to struggle with the high costs associated with digital operations [2].

The company's focus on private label products as a differentiator to drive customer loyalty is also evident in its launch of 300 private label items in the U.S. so far this year. Muller noted that the company is "encouraged by customers’ response to the initiatives we have implemented thus far" for Stop & Shop, which has seen new customers and increasing volumes [3].

Ahold Delhaize's success in achieving e-commerce profitability on a fully allocated basis is a significant development in the grocery retail industry. As the company continues to invest in its omnichannel strategy, it is poised to maintain its competitive edge in the market.

References:
[1] https://storebrands.com/comparable-sales-e-commerce-growth-boost-ahold-delhaize-q2
[2] https://www.grocerydive.com/news/ahold-delhaize-2025-grocery-ecommerce-profitability/757163/
[3] https://www.grocerydive.com/news/ahold-delhaize-omnichannel-strong-financial-second-quarter-2025/756920/