Ahold may expand Albert Heijn into Belgium and Germany

Ahold's Dutch division has set up a department to explore the opportunities of taking its Albert Heijn supermarket concept, as well as Etos drugstores and Gall & Gall liquor stores, to Belgium and Germany. Het Financieele Dagblad reported that Ahold would consider both organic as well as acquisitive market entries. Ahold yesterday announced it would be interested in entering new markets. Ahold's Czech division Albert is reportedly also sounding out possible market entries in other Central European countries. www.planetretail.net