Zaandam, the Netherlands - Ahold today announces organizational changes in its
European business.
Following the formation of Ahold's Executive Committee in September 2013, Ahold
Europe as a business division will no longer exist. The company will refocus its
current Ahold Europe operations and its leadership on building the Albert Heijn
business in the Netherlands and adjacent markets through its various formats and
channels.
Executive Committee member Sander van der Laan will continue to lead Albert
Heijn, and report to CEO Dick Boer. The company's Czech Republic business will
report directly to CEO Dick Boer. Bol.com will continue to report to Executive
Committee Member and Chief Commercial Officer Hanneke Faber and remains an
important area of growth for Ahold.
Dick Boer, CEO Ahold, said: "The food retail industry continues to evolve
rapidly and we see significant opportunities for growth to cater for the changes
in the way that our customers shop. Today's decision will bring management
closer to running the business. By further strengthening the Albert Heijn brand
in both the Netherlands as well as neighboring markets, combined with a growing
omni-channel offering via Albert Heijn online, Albert Heijn pick-up points, and
Albert Heijn to go, we will be better positioned to meet customer needs and
accelerate future growth."
Ahold will continue to pursue other important areas of growth within Europe such
as further strengthening the market position of Albert in the Czech Republic,
the roll-out of Albert Heijn and bol.com in Belgium, and Etos and Gall & Gall in
the Netherlands.
At the same time, Ahold is continuing to look for ways to streamline and
simplify the organization's support functions across the company, as part of its
Simplicity program. This will ensure that the company can maintain and
strengthen its successful market positions and continually reinvest resources in
its customer proposition and organizational capabilities.
Ahold announces organizational changes in Europe:
http://hugin.info/130711/R/1755041/592531.pdf
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Source: Ahold via GlobeNewswire
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