Albert to take over Tesco. Ahold Delhaize Group buys the Czech and Slovak business of the British chain

The Czech grocery market is set for its biggest ownership change in recent years. Ahold Delhaize Group, the owner of the Albert chain, agreed with Britain’s Tesco on 30 October to buy its entire business in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Tesco will thus leave the Czech market after thirty years. In Slovakia, by contrast, Ahold Delhaize will gain a strong market position in a country where it does not currently operate.

The purchase price is approximately EUR 1.2 billion. Including lease liabilities, the deal is valued at approximately EUR 1.7 billion, or around CZK 41.4 billion. In both countries, Tesco operates more than 360 company-owned supermarkets, hypermarkets and smaller stores, as well as over one hundred franchised stores. These stores generate annual sales of around EUR 3.5 billion and employ more than 14,000 people. In the Czech Republic, the deal covers 184 Tesco stores and online grocery sales. According to Tesco’s statement to ČTK, the Žabka network of 113 stores is also part of the transaction.

Albert currently has nearly 350 supermarkets and hypermarkets in the Czech Republic. By sales, it ranks third behind Lidl and Kaufland. Ahold Delhaize expects the combined Albert and Tesco to become the country’s largest grocery chain after the integration and adjustment of the network. By selling the business, Britain’s Tesco is simplifying the group’s structure. According to its CEO Ken Murphy, it wants to focus on Britain and Ireland. It will remain in Hungary for now.

Regulators to decide

The deal still requires approval from the regulatory authorities. It is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2027. According to its spokesperson, the Office for the Protection of Competition has not yet received an application for approval of the merger. Tomáš Prouza, president of the Union of Trade and Tourism, told ČTK that the number of large chains in the Czech Republic will fall from six to five. According to him, the deal will be reviewed by the Office for the Protection of Competition and the European Commission. He considers it an advantage that the buyer knows the Czech market well and can modernise the Tesco network. According to ČTK, agricultural analyst Petr Havel does not expect Albert to gain a dominant position following the acquisition or the deal to drive up food prices. He attributes their moderate increase mainly to higher costs for manufacturers and retailers.

What this means for logistics

For the market for warehouse and logistics real estate, it will be interesting to monitor how the group organises the distribution networks of the two chains during the integration. It will also be crucial to see how it handles its logistics infrastructure in Slovakia.

Sources: Ahold Delhaize press release (30 October 2026), ČTK