For a company that operates more than 9,800 stores across two continents, Ahold Delhaize has quietly become one of the most formidable e-commerce players in the food retail industry. Its Q1 2026 results make that case compellingly.
Group online sales reached €2.6 billion in the first quarter, up 8.3% at constant exchange rates. Net consumer online sales (which include third-party transactions through platforms like bol) climbed to €3.4 billion. These are not the numbers of a traditional supermarket chain dabbling in digital. They are the numbers of a company that has made online a genuine strategic priority.
The headline figure from the United States tells the story best. American online sales grew 14.3% at constant exchange rates in Q1, marking the eighth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. That kind of consistency is rare in retail, and it reflects years of investment in infrastructure, assortment, and convenience. Today, over 90% of Ahold Delhaize’s U.S. brand customers have access to online shopping, and the vast majority of those orders are fulfilled through same-day delivery. The company’s brands (Food Lion, Stop & Shop, Hannaford, The GIANT Company, and Giant Food) are competing and winning in the digital grocery space.
A new partnership with Uber Eats signals that the company is not content to rest on its existing capabilities. By plugging into one of the world’s leading delivery platforms, Ahold Delhaize can reach customers who might never have considered shopping at one of its banner brands. It is a smart, low-friction way to grow the customer base.
In Europe, the picture is more nuanced. Online sales grew 3.3% in the quarter, with Albert Heijn and Delhaize Belgium performing well. However, heavy snowfall disrupted Albert Heijn’s delivery operations, and bol faced a tougher consumer environment that led to some down-trading within its assortment. These are temporary headwinds rather than structural problems.
What gives Ahold Delhaize a genuine edge going forward is its investment in artificial intelligence. More than 100 AI use cases are already active across the business, spanning everything from personalized promotions to store operations. Bol’s upcoming “Shopper Agent” is one to watch. This is a tool that aims to guide customers through the full shopping journey using AI.
The digital transformation of grocery retail is well underway. Based on Q1, Ahold Delhaize looks well-placed to lead it.
Source: AholdDelhaize