Ahold Delhaize USA officially begins Jan. 1

Zaandam, the Netherlands-based Ahold Delhaize today announced the creation of Ahold Delhaize USA, effective on Jan. 1. Ahold Delhaize USA will be the parent company for all of Ahold Delhaize's U.S. companies, including its local brands 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. 

 Ahold Delhaize USA will be led by Kevin Holt, who will be appointed CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA, effective Jan. 1. Kevin is currently chief operating officer of Ahold USA. He will remain a member of Ahold Delhaize's management board and executive committee and will continue to report to Dick Boer, CEO of Ahold Delhaize.

“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 chief operating officer of Ahold USA in 2017. Prior to joining Ahold Delhaize, he served in executive leadership roles at Supervalu and Meijer.

“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. "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."