Zaandam, The Netherlands, January 7, 2004 - Ahold today announced that it has been served by the VEB (Association of Dutch Stockholders) with a summons to appear before the Enterprise Chamber ("Ondernemingskamer") of the Amsterdam Court of Appeals in connection with a claim by the VEB that the annual accounts for fiscal years 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 be nullified and that Ahold be ordered to restate its accounts and related annual reports for such periods.
The company deems this claim to be unfounded and intends to vigorously oppose it.
