Ahold Reorganizes U.S. Retail

MARK HAMSTRA

AMSTERDAM — Ahold here last week said it has reorganized its business in the U.S. and Europe to better focus on local market nuances and growth opportunities.

The company divided its Stop & Shop operations into two divisions based on geography — Stop & Shop New England and Stop & Shop Metro New York — creating a total of four U.S. divisions, including Giant-Landover and Giant-Carlisle.

Carl Schlicker, who had been chief executive officer of Stop & Shop and Giant-Landover, was named CEO of all four U.S. divisions. He continues to report to Larry Benjamin, chief operating officer of Ahold USA.

“We've strengthened our value proposition, reinvested in our stores and our people, and continue to actively pursue profitable acquisitions that fit with our capabilities and strategy,” Schlicker said.

Sander van der Laan, who had been CEO of Giant-Carlisle, will return to the Netherlands to become general manager of Ahold's Albert Heijn chain, effective in January 2010, the company said. In the interim he will be president of the Giant-Carlisle division. A successor to van der Laan at Giant-Carlisle “will be announced in the near future,” the company said.

Patrick Roquas, an analyst with Rabobank, Amsterdam, said the management changes are intended to free up Benjamin and his counterpart in Europe, Dick Boes, from day-to-day operations to focus on growth opportunities, including “midsized add-on acquisitions in existing and adjacent regions in the U.S.”

Other changes:

Also, these executives were named to lead core functions at Ahold USA: John Bussinger, formerly EVP of human resources, Giant-Carlisle, was named EVP, organizational development, Ahold USA, to help transition to the new structure. Tom Hippler remains EVP and general counsel. Paula Labian remains EVP, human resources. Jeff Martin becomes EVP, merchandising and marketing. Paula Price remains EVP and chief financial officer. Don Sussman becomes EVP, supply chain.