Dutch retailer Ahold has admitted that it could be interested in buying parts of Albertons, the US supermarket chain that is considering putting itself up for sale.

Anders Moberg, chief executive of Ahold said: “I’m not interested in Albertsons as a whole, but there might be some parts that would fit into where we are lacking.”

“We are very focused. We will stay on the east coast. We are not in a situation where we can go out for a huge acquisition,” he added.