Ahold Delhaize is launching a technology and data hub in Bucharest. 250 tech employees will work there on the customer experience of its various brands.
Pool of tech talent
The Dutch retail group had previously indicated that it wanted to centralise everything around customer experience and data across the group’s different formulas – with Albert Heijn being the only exception. Now it is becoming clear how and where that will happen: in Bucharest, Romania, the supermarket group is opening technology studio AD/01. Romania is said to have ‘one of the largest pools of skilled tech talent in Europe’.
The studio plans to recruit 250 tech employees over the next few years to strengthen Ahold Delhaize’s data and technology capabilities. The team will collaborate on innovations ‘with the aim of delivering a leading customer experience across European brands,’ according to a press release. Specifically, it will cover a wide range of topics, from web and app development to strategic projects around e-commerce, data and customer loyalty.
“With the evolving needs of our customers come new challenges, which is why we are creating AD/01. This tech studio will bring together sharp minds to develop innovations that serve people today and tomorrow and serve all our European brands. In doing so we are also investing in the Romanian market, where we already operate through our local brand Mega Image”, says Wouter Kolk, outgoing CEO of Ahold Delhaize Europe & Indonesia.
