# Albert Heijn owner buys Tesco stores in Czechia and Slovakia

> Ahold Delhaize, the Dutch group behind Albert Heijn, is buying British retailer Tesco's supermarket operations in the two countries.

Economy · published 2026-10-30 09:04 · updated 2026-10-30 10:14 · https://nlnow.nl/a/albert-heijn-s-owner-takes-over-tesco-stores-in-czechia-and-slovakia/

Ahold Delhaize, the owner of supermarket chain Albert Heijn, is taking over the operations of British retailer Tesco in Czechia and Slovakia. The deal makes the Dutch group the owner of more than 360 supermarkets, hypermarkets and convenience stores, plus more than a hundred franchise stores.

Together the stores have a turnover of about €3.5bn. They employ more than 14,000 people.

Ahold Delhaize chief executive Frans Muller said in a statement: "This takeover is an important step in strengthening our position in Central and Southeast Europe."

Tesco says the sale lets it focus more on its core business in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2027, provided regulators approve it.

## Background

- **Ahold Delhaize**: Ahold Delhaize is an international food retail group headquartered in Zaandam, in the Netherlands. It is the parent company of supermarket chains including Albert Heijn in the Netherlands and Delhaize in Belgium, and it also runs supermarket brands in the United States and Central and Eastern Europe. As a listed company, it is one of the largest supermarket operators in the Netherlands, which is why its name often comes up in Dutch news about grocery retail.

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