Grocery retailer Ahold’s 2012 profits were hit by increased pension costs and restructuring charges at its US operation.

For the full year, net income fell 18.7% to E827m (£713.6m). Fourth-quarter operating income included pension costs of E88m (£75.9m) in the US and Europe, and E26m (£22.4m) of impairment costs primarily related to Ahold’s business in Slovakia.