[Graphic omitted] Ahold
                                                       Press Release

                                                       Royal Ahold
                                                       Corporate Communications

                                                Date:  July 12, 2004
                                For more information:  +31 75 659 57 20


Ahold receives put notice for Canica's stake in ICA AB

Zaandam, The Netherlands, July 12, 2004 - Ahold today announced that it has
received a notice from Canica AS ("Canica"), its joint venture partner in the
Scandinavian joint venture ICA AB, that Canica has exercised its put option with
respect to its 20% interest in ICA AB. Canica has given a price indication of
SEK 10.1 billion (approximately EUR 1.1 billion). Ahold does not agree that this
is the correct price level.

According to the Shareholders' Agreement among Ahold, Canica and the third joint
venture partner, ICA Forbundet Invest AB ("ICA Forbundet"), Ahold is obliged to
buy the shares now offered by Canica. The price for the shares will be
determined by mutual agreement between Ahold and Canica. If Ahold and Canica
cannot reach agreement on such price within 21 days after receipt by Ahold of
the put notice, the valuation procedure pursuant to the Shareholders' Agreement
will be followed. According to the valuation procedure, the price for the shares
will be equal to 20% of the Revised Equity Value of ICA AB plus a premium. The
Revised Equity Value of ICA AB is the fair market value of its shares (as if ICA
AB was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, not including any control
premium) at the time of exercise. The size of the premium is at this time the
subject of a pending arbitration proceeding among Ahold, Canica and ICA
Forbundet.

As soon as the price for the shares offered by Canica has been established,
Ahold will issue a further press release. Ahold intends to finance the share
transaction with available cash.

Ahold Corporate Communications: +31.75.659.5720

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Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. Ahold intends that these statements
be covered by the safe harbors created under these laws. The forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, statements as to the method of
determining the price of shares of ICA AB offered by Canica and statements
regarding the financing of the purchase of such shares from Canica. These
forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. There are important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the
information set forth in these forward-looking statements. Important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from the information set
forth in these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the
ability of Ahold and Canica to reach an agreement on the price, the results of
any valuation procedures to be followed and the outcome of arbitration
proceedings among Ahold, Canica and ICA Forbundet. Many of these factors are
beyond Ahold's ability to control or predict. Given these uncertainties, readers
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements,
which only speak as of the date of this press release. Ahold does not undertake
any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press
release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances,
except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Outside The
Netherlands, Koninklijke Ahold N.V., being its registered name, presents itself
under the name of "Royal Ahold" or simply "Ahold."
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                                                Albert Heijnweg 1, Zaandam
                                                P.O. Box 3050, 1500 HB Zaandam
                                                The Netherlands
                                                Phone:  +31 (0)75 659 5720
                                                Fax:    +31 (0)75 659 8302
http://www.ahold.com