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ZAANDAM, Netherlands — Ahold Delhaize is creating a parent company for its U.S. food and drug retail operations called Ahold Delhaize USA.
The company said that, effective Jan. 1, Ahold Delhaize USA will oversee all of Ahold Delhaize’s U.S. companies, including its local store banners — Stop & Shop, Food Lion, Giant, Hannaford, Giant/Martin’s and Peapod — as well as Retail Business Services (RBS), a U.S. shared services company providing support to the brands.
In addition, Ahold Delhaize has appointed Kevin Holt as chief executive officer for Ahold Delhaize USA, starting on Jan. 1. He’s currently chief operating officer of Ahold USA.
In the new role, Holt will remain a member of Ahold Delhaize’s management board and executive committee and will continue to report to Ahold Delhaize CEO Dick Boer. Frans Muller, who is deputy CEO and chief integration officer of Ahold Delhaize and serves as interim acting chief operating officer of Delhaize America, will focus on the continued smooth integration of Ahold Delhaize, the company noted.
“Combining the parent companies of the U.S. brands and RBS is the natural next step in our brand-centric strategy in the U.S.” Boer said in a statement. “Kevin is an outstanding leader with extensive food retail experience and a great choice to guide our U.S. businesses through this time of continuing change and evolving customer expectations.”
Holt joined Delhaize Group in 2014 as CEO of Delhaize America and transitioned to COO of Ahold USA in 2017.
“I’m excited that we are moving into this next phase, where we can focus on further strengthening our brands and winning in our markets,” commented Holt. “Ahold Delhaize USA and its U.S. brands are well positioned to continue to drive growth and innovation and meet the evolving needs of customers, both in stores and online.”
