Cautionary notice

This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements, which do not refer to historical facts but refer to expectations based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those included in such statements.

Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond Ahold’s ability to control or estimate precisely, including but not limited to, Ahold’s ability to implement and complete successfully its plans and strategies and to meet its targets, the benefits from Ahold’s plans and strategies being less than those anticipated, the effect of general economic or political conditions, the actions of Ahold’s shareholders, competitors, customers, and other third parties, increases or changes in competition, Ahold’s ability to retain and attract personnel who are integral to the success of the business, Ahold’s IT outsourcing and information security, Ahold’s ability to address corporate social responsibility issues, fluctuations in exchange rates or interest rates ,Ahold’s liquidity needs exceeding expected levels, compliance and regulatory risks and other factors discussed in this Annual Report, Risk management and internal control, Risk factors and in Ahold’s other public filings.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Annual Report. Ahold does not assume any obligation to update any public information or forward-looking statement in this Annual Report to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Annual Report, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Outside the Netherlands, Ahold presents itself under the name of “Royal Ahold” or simply “Ahold”. For the reader’s convenience, “Ahold or “the Company” is also used throughout this Annual Report. The Company’s registered name is “Koninklijke Ahold N.V.”