According certain insiders, former Delhaize CEO Frans Muller will soon take charge of Ahold Delhaize. Muller is currently only deputy CEO, but chances are he will take over from Dick Boer.
More clarity
Until recently, Muller led Ahold Delhaize’s American activities, but Kevin Holt has now taken control of that division. That means Muller is now able to assume the responsibility of CEO once more: Belgian newspaper De Standaard quotes sources that indicate that there might be a change coming as early as this week: Dick Boer would then become chairman of the Board of Commissioners.
Ahold Delhaize says that the new structure should make things more transparent, as it currently has two CEO’s. The company’s Belgian branch hopes that Muller will take charge, because that might lead to an increased focus on Belgium considering his legacy at Delhaize. If Muller were indeed to become Ahold Delhaize’s new CEO, he will face the enormous task to get the group back on track in the United States. Amazon’s Whole Foods acquisition and its subsequent plans to target the physical retail world have hit Ahold Delhaize hard. The company may have Peapod as its online platform for the United States, but it is nothing compared to the power of Amazon.
