Zaandam, the Netherlands-based Ahold Delhaize has formed a new parent company for Stop & Shop, Food Lion, Giant, Hannaford, Giant/Martin’s and Peapod.
Retail Business Services, a company supporting the brands, will also be under the purview of the newly created Ahold Delhaize USA, according to a news release.
The CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA will be Kevin Holt, who is the chief operating officer of Ahold USA. He will continue to be a member of the Ahold Delhaize management board and executive committee and will continue to report to Ahold Delhaize CEO Dick Boer.
“Combining the parent companies of the U.S. brands and (Retail Business Services) is the natural next step in our brand-centric strategy in the U.S.,” Boer said in the release. “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 began working for Delhaize Group in 2014 as CEO of Delhaize America and became chief operating officer of Ahold USA this year. Previously he had been an executive at Supervalu and Kroger.
“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,” Holt said in the release. “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.”