Two of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest grocery retailers – Ahold Delhaize and Weis Markets – posted solid second quarter operating results in an increasingly challenging environment.
At Zaandam, Netherlands-based Ahold Delhaize, whose U.S banners – The Giant Company, Giant Food, Stop & Shop, Food Lion and Hannaford – contribute more than 60 percent of the company’s total revenue, the results continued to be positive with the company receiving boosts from some familiar contributors and one new source
In the U.S., second quarter total net sales increased 1.9 percent year-over-year, to $14.9 billion while comparable sales (excluding gas) grew 3.3 percent. A familiar contributor, online sales, jumped 17.2 percent for the period ended June 29.
Much like Walmart earlier this year, Ahold Delhaize said it reached e-commerce profitability during the first half of 2025. And the growth in its second quarter was Ahold Delhaize’s fifth consecutive double-digit growth performance.
CEO Frans Muller said that the retailer’s continued digital gains could be attributed to several factors including the expansion of click-and-collect and third-party same-day delivery, increased fulfillment capacity, automation of operations, and the use of retail media solutions.
The addition of third-party delivery provider DoorDash saw customer growth increase by 300 percent year-over-year, with half of that growth coming from first-time online shoppers. DoorDash now comprises 40 percent of Ahold Delhaize’s total online business.
At its U.S banners, which were again led by Food Lion, a one-time “top earner” was back in the spotlight again in a positive way. During his summary, Muller noted that “Stoppie” played a central role in Ahold Delhaize’s current investment strategy ($1 billion in price investment over the next four years) and the results thus far have been promising. That’s a significant turnaround from a year ago when the Quincy, MA-based brand announced it would be closing 32 underperforming stores by the end of 2024.
“We are encouraged by customers’ response to the initiatives we have implemented so far,” Muller told analysts on the retailer’s earnings call “Where we have made investments, we are attracting new customers, and seeing increased volumes.”
He added that those investments will be expanded to additional markets during the second half of the year. Muller also noted that further product optimization at Stop & Shop will continue and that 20 more “Stoppie” units will be remodeled before the end of 2025.
In summarizing his company’s performance through the first half of the year, the 64-year-old chief executive noted: “Our focus on striking the right balance between investing in growth and creating opportunities to drive operational excellence continue to fuel the positive outlook for our company. With our strong culture – known for its agility, consistency, ability to drive transformative change and commitment to sustainability – I am confident we are well prepared to navigate the complexities of the current business environment and position the company to drive brand strength and market share growth in the coming periods.”
At Sunbury, PA-based Weis Markets, second quarter sales and earnings were also positive, but the gains were smaller. For the period ended June 28, net income grew by 1 percent to $26.5 million while overall sales increased 2.8 percent to $1.2 billion. Weis’ comp store revenue (ex-gas) jumped 2.3 percent.
“Our second quarter 2025 results, adjusted for the financial impact of the year-over-year Easter holiday shift and related party share purchase agreement transaction, are in line with our expectations during a time of continuing market changes and macroeconomic uncertainty,” said Jonathan Weis, chairman, president, and CEO of the regional chain. “We continue to make significant price investments in a market impacted by cautious customer spending. During the quarter, we opened a new store in a growing part of Maryland’s Frederick County, and we expect to open a new store in Charlotte Hall, MD later this summer.”
He added: “We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of our retail store, supply chain, manufacturing, and support center associates who serve our customers and support our communities each day which makes our company’s long-term growth and success possible.”
For the first half of 2025, net sales and other revenue totaled $2.42 billion compared to $2.37 billion for the same period in 2024, up 2.1 percent. Year-to-date comparable store sales excluding fuel increased 1.7 percent on an individual year-over-year basis and increased 3.5 percent on a two-year stacked basis.
Weis noted that its year-to-date net income totaled $47.00 million, which included $1.1 million in pre-tax related party share purchase agreement transaction expenses, compared to $49.42 million in 2024, down 4.9 percent. Adjusted for the weighted-average shares outstanding for the applicable reporting period, year-to-date earnings per share totaled $1.77 compared to $1.84 per share for the same period in 2024.
Other new stores on tap for Weis include supermarkets in Middletown, DE and Waldorf, MD and major remodels in Pen Argyl, PA and Kutztown. PA which are scheduled to be completed in the next six weeks.
