Dutch retail chain Jumbo Groep Holding has announced the appointment of a managing director at its new Belgian arm, along with other managerial changes.
Peter Isaac will start in the managing director position on 1 September. Isaac worked for 14 years as a COO and management board member at Lidl Belgium.
Jumbo CEO Frits Van Eerd commented, "His appointment underscores Jumbo's ambition to become a distinctive player in the Belgian food landscape."
It was first reported in November 2017 that the Dutch retailer was looking to expand its operations internationally, with up to 30 new locations in Belgium.
In December, publication Retail Detail said that Jumbo was scouting out a location in Bree, Limburg, for its first Belgian store.
Other Management Changes
The group also reported that Olaf de Boer has been appointed the new executive director of its buying and merchandising division, as of 20 June.
With more than twenty years of Dutch and international experience in the retail sector, de Boer has previously worked at Ahold, AMS Sourcing, Gall & Gall and Metro Cash & Carry.
Van Eerd commented on his appointment, "With Olaf we have been able to bring someone with years of experience in the field of Buying & Merchandising into the house.
"His extensive knowledge in the area of private label, fresh, purchasing and assortment management comes in handy when realizing our growth ambition."
Bart van den Nieuwenhof, managing director of Jumbo-owned restaurant chain La Place, will be departing as of 1 September.
Jumbo said that after six 'turbulent' years laying a solid foundation for the restaurant, Nieuwenhof has decided to 'spread his wings'.
After two and a half years under Jumbo's management, the retailer said, 'La Place is back completely in the Dutch streetscape and [is] working energetically on its international expansion.'
The board of directors of Jumbo Groep Holding will manage the restaurant chain directly until a new managing director has been appointed, with Paul Bringmann, the founder of La Place, in an advisory role.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Karen Henderson. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
