Press Release

[Graphic Omitted] Ahold

                                                        Royal Ahold
                                                        Corporate Communications


                                                  Date: January 19, 2004
                                  For more information: +31 75 659 57 20

Ahold to sell remaining convenience stores in United States

Zaandam, The Netherlands, January 19, 2004 - Ahold today announced that its U.S.
subsidiary Tops Markets LLC ("Tops") intends to divest its chain of 204
convenience stores. These are Ahold's remaining convenience stores in the United
States. The stores operate under the banners of Wilson Farms Neighborhood Food
Stores (127), Sugarcreek Stores (67) and Tops Xpress (10).

The intended divestment of the Tops' convenience stores is part of Ahold's
strategic plan to restructure its portfolio in order to focus on core food
businesses. Ahold has not set a time frame for the completion of this
divestment. Ahold has retained investment banking firm William Blair & Company,
LLC (Chicago, Illinois) to assist with the divestment.

Wilson Farms, a division of Tops Markets since 1969, operates convenience stores
in Western and Central New York. The Sugarcreek convenience stores, all offering
gasoline, were acquired by Tops in 2000 and are located in Central and Northern
New York. The convenience stores are situated along major highways and in rural
areas. Tops Xpress are convenience stores offering gasoline in Northern New
York. Together, the convenience stores employ nearly 2,100 associates, including
store associates, field specialists and operations support.

Ahold Corporate Communications: +31.75.659.57.20


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Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws and are intended to be covered Ly
the safe harbors created thereby. These forward-looking statements include
statements as to Ahold's intention to divest its remaining convenience stores in
the United States. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks,
uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed in those forward-looking statements. Such
factors include, but are not limited to, Ahold's ability to find buyers for the
convenience stores on terms that are acceptable to Ahold and the effect of
general economic conditions. Many of these factors are beyond Ahold's ability to
control or estimate precisely. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance
on such forward-looking statements, which only speak as of the date of this
press release. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors,
see Ahold's Annual Report on Form 20-F for its most recent fiscal year. 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, 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