On a two-year comparable sales growth basis**, comparable sales excluding gas in the U.S. were up 15.3% and in Europe were up 7.3% in Q3 2021, both of which remain elevated relative to historic levels.
Q3 Group net sales were €18.5 billion, up 4.6% at constant exchange rates.
In Q3, net consumer online sales grew 29.2% at constant exchange rates, building on top of the significant 62.6% growth in Q3 2020.
Q3 diluted underlying EPS was €0.53, representing an increase of 8.1% at constant exchange rates versus the prior year. Q3 IFRS-reported operating income was €780 million; Q3 IFRS-reported diluted EPS was €0.51.
In the U.S., Q3 comparable sales excluding gas grew 2.9%, while, in Europe, Q3 comparable sales were stable (0.2)% versus Q3 2020.
Q3 underlying operating margin was 4.4%.
Raising 2021 Group underlying margin, underlying EPS and free cash flow outlook; expect Group underlying operating margin to be approximately 4.4%, underlying EPS to grow in the low- to mid-20s range versus 2019, and free cash flow to be approximately €1.7 billion.
** Two-year comparable sales growth is a stack of the comparable sales growth excluding gasoline in the current year period added to the comparable sales growth excluding gasoline in the prior year period. This measure may be helpful to improve the understanding of trends in periods that are affected by variations in prior-year growth rates.

Zaandam, the Netherlands, November 10, 2021 – Ahold Delhaize, one of the world’s largest food retail groups and a leader in both supermarkets and e-commerce, reports third quarter results today.

The interim report for the third quarter 2021 can be viewed and downloaded at www.aholddelhaize.com