Ahold Delhaize announces joint online initiatives for key brands | Progresiv
Netherlands-based grocery retail group Ahold Delhaize has announced the next step in its digital transformation by creating several joint online initiatives across its brands. 
Its supermarket chain Albert Heijn’s online site and its electricals, toys and books store Bol.com now have a single sign-on service, meaning customers can log into each of those websites using their Bol.com account. It ensures shoppers only need one account for their food and non-food purchases.
In addition, Ahold Delhaize said it has created a combined subscription model, with new and renewal subscribers to Albert Heijn's 12-month home-delivery service now able to access a subscription to Bol.com's 12-month fast and free-of-charge delivery offering.
Meanwhile, Albert Heijn and Bol.com are among the first retailers in the Netherlands to offer voice functionality through an Action on Google to consumers through the Dutch Google Assistant. Both brands are also selling the Dutch-language Google Home device, which indicates their confidence in the future success of voice-enabled technology in the Netherlands.
Wouter Kolk, Ahold Delhaize CEO for Europe and Indonesia, commented: "Many Albert Heijn customers frequently shop at Bol.com and vice versa so these new features will make their shopping experience even more seamless and convenient.
"I'm excited about these joint initiatives, as we continue to create an even better retail ecosystem for our customers."
Albert Heijn is the largest physical and online food retailer in the Netherlands, and it also has stores in Belgium, serving more than five million customers each week. Bol.com is the largest online general retailer with over nine million customers and more than 16 million products, operating in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Ahold Delhaize said it will provide further information on its eCommerce strategy in Europe at its Capital Markets Day on 13 November in New York City. Today’s announcement comes after it started rolling out its new store concept in Belgium last month, featuring various retail technology deployments that help join up its store and online propositions. (www.essentialretail.com)
