AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS — Royal Ahold n.v., the owner of Stop & Shop stores in the United States, said total group sales climbed to €8,654 million ($11,550 million) in the first quarter ended April 19, up 15% from €7,514 million in the same period a year ago. The company said its performance was boosted by solid performance in Europe and the United States.

"In Europe and the United States, our performance remained solid and we continued to focus on striking a balance between sales growth, market share and margin," Ahold said in a first-quarter trading statement issued May 6. "We remain well positioned to meet our customers’ needs and to respond to competition in the current turbulent economic environment."

Net sales rose 3.6% to $5,323 million in local currency at Stop & Shop / Giant-Landover stores during the quarter, while Giant-Carlisle stores posted sales of $1,462 million, up 3.4%.