Analysts estimate that the cyber crisis at Ahold Delhaize is costing the company millions of euros a day and that this will be reflected in the group’s reported profits this year. It will take its subsidiary, Albert Heijn, weeks to recover from disruptions to product supplies and empty shelves. Furthermore, there is a risk that customers will switch to rival supermarkets.

Albert Heijn achieves its profit margin precisely because the company uses data to know exactly how many products it has and how many lorries need to be dispatched. Operating with extreme efficiency is the foundation for the returns it achieves.

Because the IT systems are down, the supermarket chain is currently unable to track what is being sold and what stock remains in the shops. The consequences are particularly noticeable in the initial phase, when products are missing from the shelves, but there are also long-term implications. Experts estimate that it will take at least ten to twelve weeks to ensure that everything is properly coordinated again.

The additional costs stem from an increase in spoiled products that could not be delivered, compensation for suppliers who were unable to make deliveries, and consumers who did their shopping elsewhere. It will be a challenge to win back every customer who shopped with a competitor. On top of that, there are the costs of resolving the IT issues.