Ahold

AMSTERDAM — Ahold has tapped retail veteran James McCann to serve in the newly created role of chief commercial development officer.

McCann, who most recently served as executive director for Carrefour France and a member of Carrefour's group executive board, will focus on developing new and innovative ways to serve customer needs, build customer loyalty and broaden Ahold's offering. He also will be responsible for leading Ahold's e-commerce initiatives and will strengthen the company's online business globally.

AMSTERDAM — Sales for Dutch supermarket operator Royal Ahold increased 5.9% to $13.3 billion in first quarter 2011, the company said.

This compared with first quarter 2010 sales of $12.6 billion at Ahold, which operates the Giant-Carlisle, Giant-Landover and Stop & Shop chains in the United States, as well as online grocer Peapod. Profits for the quarter were $419.1 million, a 6.2% increase over $394.6 million in 2010.

Sales for Ahold USA were $7.6 billion, a 7.4% increase over first quarter 2010. Same-store sales increased by 5% over last year.

CHICAGO — Registered dietitians' role in retail was emphasized as health-and-wellness professionals from retailers, manufacturers and other organizations gathered for the third annual Dietitian Summit, which was held in Philadelphia last month.

The third annual invitation-only summit — co-hosted by Ahold USA and Field Trip Factory, which unites commerce and other organizations through education — underscored that grocers stress healthy food choices by utilizing RDs, which offer customers the tools to achieve optimal health.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Royal Ahold banner Giant Food Stores is giving its private-label products a new look.

LANDOVER, Md. — Giant Food is donating nearly $2 million to schools in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia as part of its 2010-2011 A+ School Rewards program, the Royal Ahold banner said Wednesday.

The program, which has operated for 22 years, allows customers to support school programs every time they use their Giant card at a Giant Food store.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Royal Ahold banner Giant-Carlisle has opened a new gas station near a store in Lancaster, Pa., the supermarket chain said.

The company opened the station on Thursday morning, within walking distance of the Giant Food Store on Centerville Road.

The gas station features a new, 1,000-sq.-ft. “grab and go” kiosk, which will offer products for motorists, such as chilled beverages, coffee, snacks, car products, a lottery machine, an ATM and Giant-brand milk and bread.

NEW YORK — Royal Ahold executive Kimberly Ross is joining beauty company Avon as EVP and CFO, reporting to Andrea Jung, Avon's chairman and CEO.

Ross currently is EVP and CFO and a member of the executive board of Royal Ahold NV, a Netherlands-based international group with more than 2,970 stores and supermarkets spanning Europe and the United States.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Royal Ahold banner Giant-Carlisle sponsored its first Childhood Obesity Summit Tuesday, according to an announcement by the chain.

The summit, which took place in Willow Grove, Pa., included local experts, such as physicians, in-store nutritionists from Giant and others.