<p>THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Online sales at retailer Ahold Delhaize soared nearly 72% in the final quarter of 2020, the company said Wednesday, as the global pandemic forced many customers to shop from home.</p>
<p>Global net sales at the multinational that owns the Stop & Shop, Food Lion and Hannaford stores in the United States rose by nearly 13% to 19.6 billion euros ($23.7 billion).</p>
<p>The company recorded a 9 million euro net loss for the quarter, mainly due to previously announced U.S. pension plan withdrawal and settlement agreements totaling 841 million euros.</p>
<p>CEO Frans Muller paid tribute to staff for their work during the pandemic, which he said "created unprecedented challenges for the Ahold Delhaize brands."</p>
<p>The company said that the COVID-19 pandemic “continues to create significant uncertainty in 2021.”</p>
