Dutch retail group Ahold Delhaize, which owns supermarket chains Albert Heijn, Delhaize and other retail brands in Europe and the USA, has revised its financial forecast for 2026 after a large-scale cyberattack in October. Due to disruptions to digital services and logistics, the company expects a decline in sales and operating profit in the fourth quarter.
This was stated in the official financial report of Ahold Delhaize on November 4.
According to the company's estimates, the cyberattack will lead to a reduction in net sales in the fourth quarter by €200-250 million. Operating profit may be lower by €75-100 million.
This is the predicted financial effect, not yet recorded losses. Separately, the company expects additional costs for incident response and restoration of information systems.
The cyberattack was detected in October. To protect corporate infrastructure, Ahold Delhaize temporarily disabled some information systems, including websites and mobile applications of retail chains.
The most affected were online services in the Benelux countries and the USA, as well as logistics operations in Belgium and the Netherlands.
In particular, the Dutch chain Albert Heijn experienced disruptions in online order delivery, operation of loyalty programs and supply of goods to stores. Problems also affected services of chains Etos and Gall & Gall.
Meanwhile, physical stores of the group continued to operate throughout the incident, although some services were temporarily unavailable.
As reported by the company on October 19, the investigation confirmed that suspicious activity in the corporate network was caused by malicious actions of third parties. Cybersecurity specialists were engaged to restore systems.
According to Ahold Delhaize CEO Frans Muller, most disruptions were eliminated within about two weeks. At the same time, work on full restoration of operations continues. The online retail platform bol was not affected.
Due to the consequences of the cyberattack, Ahold Delhaize has lowered its forecast for adjusted earnings per share growth for 2026. Now the company expects growth by low single-digit percentages instead of previously expected mid to high single-digit rates.
Free cash flow forecast has also been reduced - from at least €2.3 billion to approximately €2.1 billion. In addition to the cyberattack, its revision was influenced by new rules for settlements with suppliers in Serbia.
Meanwhile, financial results for the third quarter, which ended before the cyberattack, remained positive. Group sales amounted to €23.1 billion, an increase of 1.9% at constant exchange rates. Operating profit under International Financial Reporting Standards reached €976 million.
Based on materials: Ahold Delhaize, Ahold Delhaize - cyberattack announcement, NL Times
