Unilever Displeased With Albert Heijn's Late Pay Plan
AMSTERDAM - Consumer products maker Unilever NV said Monday it disagrees with a decision by supermarket chain Albert Heijn to pay its suppliers late, according to a Dow Jones news report.
Albert Heijn, a Dutch chain owned by troubled retailer Royal Ahold, has unilaterally decided to extend its terms of payment to Unilever, according to the report. "We principally don't agree that one party cancels negotiated conditions," Unilever spokesman Richard van der Eijk said.
Unilever added that it's looking at the matter and plans to talk to Albert Heijn shortly. However, the company declined to say whether it's willing to negotiate longer terms of payment.
The company isn't aware that any other Ahold units outside the Netherlands have delayed payments to Unilever, Van der Eijk said. He declined to estimate the costs to Unilever if Albert Heijn pays late.
Albert Heijn, a Dutch chain owned by troubled retailer Royal Ahold, has unilaterally decided to extend its terms of payment to Unilever, according to the report. "We principally don't agree that one party cancels negotiated conditions," Unilever spokesman Richard van der Eijk said.
Unilever added that it's looking at the matter and plans to talk to Albert Heijn shortly. However, the company declined to say whether it's willing to negotiate longer terms of payment.
The company isn't aware that any other Ahold units outside the Netherlands have delayed payments to Unilever, Van der Eijk said. He declined to estimate the costs to Unilever if Albert Heijn pays late.