text: Ahold launches Asian food discount stores . ZAANDAM , Netherlands 1996-12-06 Dutch supermarkets group Ahold NV said on Friday it had launched a second food store format for Asian consumers today , opening 16 BILO food discount stores in Malaysia . The BILO stores are located in Malysia 's capital Kuala Lumpur and in the country 's second city Johor Bahru . The discount price format store BILO is to complement Ahold 's full service supermarket TOPS , recently launched in Asia . " In the coming five to ten years , Ahold plans to open many more stores of both formats , making TOPS and BILO household names in the region , " Ahold said in a statement . As well as its activities in Asia , Dutch retail group Ahold has a strong presence in Europe , in the U.S. and the company recently announced a joint venture agreement in Brazil . Ahold has annualised sales of approximately US$ 24 billion , and employs 180,000 people worldwide . -- Amsterdam newsroom +31 20 504 5000 , Fax +31 20 504 504