Is Ahold playing American game with Carrefour sale?

Finalizing the transaction, the value of which was not disclosed, is planned for Q1 2005. President of Ahold, Anders Moberg, announced that his company would focus on supermarkets and smaller hypermarkets in Poland. The firm also intends to open new outlets with more than 10 new stores being launched next year. According to the president of the Polish Chamber of Commerce (PIH), Andrzej Lewiński, the transaction is another sign of the consolidation of the sector. "American giant Wal-Mart is interested in developing a network of smaller stores in Europe, which means that Ahold would be a good take over target for the company," suggested Lewiński. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 12) M.M.