Supermarket group Ahold (Albert Heijn) booked net profit of €195m in the third quarter of this year, down €19m on the same period in 2007.

Operating profit rose 11% to €262m, the company announced on Thursday.
The net profit is lower than last year, when earnings from wholesaler and supermarket operator Schuitema were included. Total sales in the period under review are up nearly 4% at €5.8bn.
The company said it is maintaining its 2008 forecast.
‘We delivered a solid performance,’ said Ahold CEO John Rishton. ‘The company has a healthy balance sheet and is well positioned to offer value to our customers in the current economic environment.’
For the full Ahold statement, click here