Search was on since Roland Smith left
The company had been looking for a new CEO since September, when former CEO Roland Smith left the company. His departure coincided with Frans Muller’s announcement as the group’s new CEO, succeeding Pierre-Olivier Beckers. Insiders claimed Smith wanted to fill the position himself.
The American supermarket chains belonging to Delhaize Group (Food Lion, Hannaford and Bottom Dollar) became Frans Muller’s direct responsibility up until the arrival of a new CEO. Kevin Holt, who had worked for competitor Supervalu for 20 years – among others as its executive vice president of retail operations, will now become Delhaize America’s new CEO.
Delhaize’s American operations represent 60 % of the group’s turnover, with Food Lion and its 1,333 stores as the largest contributor.
