Dutch retailer Ahold reported net sales up 5.9% in the first quarter of 2011 on the same period last year, up to E9.25bn (£8.2bn).

Net profit reached E291m (£258m), up 6.2%. Sales growth was driven by the US operations, where turnover reached $7.6bn (£6.7bn), up 7.4%. In its Dutch home market, sales increased 3.9% to E3.2bn (£2.8bn).

Underlying retail operating margin declined in the Netherlands, down from 6.9% in the first quarter of 2010 to 6% this year.

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