GlobeNewswire Inc | Jan 4, 2021 02:00AM EST

January 04, 2021

Zaandam, the Netherlands, January 4, 2021 Ahold Delhaize today commences the 1 billion share buyback program announced on November 4, 2020 and expects to complete the program before the end of 2021.Maintaining a balanced approach between funding growth in key channels and returning excess liquidity to shareholders is part of Ahold Delhaizes financial framework to support its Leading Together strategy. The purpose of the program is to reduce the capital of Ahold Delhaize, by cancelling all or part of the common shares acquired through the program.The program will be executed by intermediaries allowing the execution of share repurchases in the open market during open and closed periods. The program will be executed within the limits of relevant laws and regulations, the existing authority granted at Ahold Delhaizes 2020 annual general meeting of shareholders on April 8, 2020 and the authority (if granted) by the annual general meeting on April 14, 2021.Ahold Delhaize will provide regular updates on the progress of the program by means of press releases.

Cautionary noticeThis communication includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts may be forward-lookingstatements. Words such ascommences, expects, complete, before, the end of, 2021, maintaining, growth, support, strategy, purpose, reduce, will, be, existing, if, progressor other similar words or expressions are typically used toidentify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and that may cause actual results of Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V. (the Company) to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in the Companys public filings and other disclosures. Forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the Companys management and assumptions based on information currently available to the Companys management. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and the Company does not assume any obligation to update such statements, except as required by law.