Strong Top-line Growth
Full-year net sales rose 5.9% to EUR 92.4 billion; Q4 net sales grew 6.1% to EUR 23.5 billion. Full-year comparable sales (excluding gas) increased 3.2%; Q4 comparable sales were +2.5% (including minor weather/calendar impacts).
Healthy Profitability and EPS Progress
Delivered a full-year underlying operating margin of 4.0% and Q4 underlying operating margin of 4.2%. Diluted underlying EPS was EUR 2.67 for the full year and EUR 0.73 in Q4 (+11.9% year-over-year in Q4); management cited diluted underlying EPS growth of ~7.8%.
Strong Free Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns
Free cash flow of EUR 1.5 billion in Q4 and EUR 2.6 billion for the full year (exceeding guidance). Company proposed a 6% dividend increase to EUR 1.24 per share and initiated a EUR 1 billion share buyback program for 2026.
Digital, AI and Online Momentum
Online sales grew 12.9% in Q4 and 13.3% for the full year; U.S. online grew 22.8% in Q4 (Food Lion ecommerce >35% growth and +2 percentage points in penetration). PRISM rollout reached ~32 million customers and delivered ~14 billion personalized offers in 2025.
U.S. Operational Outperformance
U.S. net sales of EUR 13.0 billion (Q4) with comparable sales excluding gas up 2.7% and a Q4 underlying operating margin of 4.7%. Food Lion delivered its 53rd consecutive quarter of growth and strong ecommerce momentum.
European Growth, Strategic M&A and Retail Strength
Europe Q4 net sales EUR 10.5 billion, up 11.2% (partly reflecting the Profi acquisition). Profi opened 70 stores in 2025 and is positioned for growth; Albert Heijn achieved a record market share of 38.2% for the year.
Cost Savings, Reinvestment and Complementary Income Progress
Delivered nearly EUR 1.3 billion in customer savings in 2025, which are being reinvested into price, tech and stores. Complementary income grew double-digit in 2025 and management reiterated a target of ~EUR 3 billion by 2028.
Strong Sustainability and Healthy-Choice Metrics
Own-brand healthy food sales at 52.1% (like-for-like +40 bps vs 2024). Total tons of food waste per food sales down 39.1% vs 2016 baseline (improved 4.4 p.p. vs 2024). CO2 in operations down 39.1% vs 2018 baseline (3.4% improvement vs prior year); virgin plastic in own-brand packaging down 10.9% vs 2021.