Ahold's retail and foodservice operations in the United States represented 74 percent of its consolidated net sales in 2006. In addition to the Company's principal activities, some subsidiaries finance, develop and manage store sites and shopping centers primarily in support of its retail operations. For a list of Ahold's significant subsidiaries, see the information in Note 36 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

On November 6, 2006, Ahold announced that it will divest its foodservice operations in order to focus exclusively on its core food retail businesses (in 2006 retail operations accounted for 66 percent of the Company's consolidated net sales).