Ahold Delhaize USA names new president for Stop & Shop
Ahold Delhaize USA has revealed that its chief commercial officer, Roger Wheeler has been appointed president of Stop & Shop, effective Sept. 30, while current president Gordon Reid plans to retire in mid-2025.
“At Ahold Delhaize USA, it’s a strength of our organization that we have a depth of internal leadership talent, which will ensure a smooth transition,” noted Ahold Delhaize USA CEO JJ Fleeman. “A native of Massachusetts with more than 30 years of experience in the supermarket industry, and nearly 20 years of experience at Ahold Delhaize USA and Stop & Shop, Roger is the right person to propel the Stop & Shop brand forward. He is a proven leader who is passionate about the customer experience, knows the market, and has an outstanding track record of building a strong organizational culture to drive the successful execution of initiatives and strong financial performance. I am confident in his ability to reposition Stop & Shop and deliver on our Growing Together strategy commitments.”
Most recently, Wheeler was chief commercial and supply chain officer at Ahold Delhaize USA, in which role he led the transformation of commercial capabilities that have enabled strategies for future growth, as well as driving efficiencies that have led to lower costs and higher sales. Before taking on that position, Wheeler was president of Retail Business Services for seven years. In that role, he spearheaded the standup of the services organizations for Ahold Delhaize USA, headed large-scale supply chain and IT transformations, and was instrumental in maximizing the effectiveness of teams to support the business, among them procurement, indirect sourcing and pharmacy. Earlier, he was SVP of supply chain, as well as both a store manager and category manager in the grocery industry. Wheeler first joined the companies of Ahold Delhaize USA in 2005 as VP of meat and seafood at Stop & Shop.
[Read more: Stop & Shop ends sales of cigarettes, tobacco at all locations]
A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a veteran of the Persian Gulf War, Wheeler also earned an MBA from Bentley University.
“It’s an honor to rejoin Stop & Shop in this leadership role,” said Wheeler. “I have not only spent a significant portion of my career working at the brand, but am a lifelong customer and have a strong passion for the communities Stop & Shop serves. I look forward to working alongside our Stop & Shop team as we build upon the work underway to deepen the loyalty of our customers, operate great stores and provide excellent service every day. Together, we will grow the Stop & Shop business, be a top employer in our markets and create great experiences for our associates.”
He continued: “Stop & Shop has a clear focus on growing through large multiyear price investments and a stronger customer value proposition. I look forward to working with our teams to deliver on that vision for our customers, while caring for the communities we serve and growing Stop & Shop as a local brand for many years to come.”
Meanwhile, Reid has worked for Stop & Shop since 2019, and before that, he spent six years leading Giant Food. He will remain with Ahold Delhaize USA until the middle of next year, providing leadership support for strategic initiatives.
[Read more: Ahold Delhaize USA names Moira O’Toole VP of pharmacy services]
“I want to thank Gordon for his outstanding contributions over the years, and most recently at Stop & Shop,” said Fleeman. “Gordon has made a tremendous impact on our business, having led many initiatives to reposition brands and establish future strategy. From store remodels to price investments to new stores, such as Stop & Shop’s Allston Yards store, his leadership has reshaped customer shopping experiences. I look forward to continuing to work with Gordon until his retirement next year.”
“As I transition to this next chapter, it has truly been an honor and privilege to lead the Stop & Shop brand,” noted Reid. “I’m grateful for our associates who are incredibly dedicated to serving our customers every day, and I’m extremely proud of all that we have accomplished together. As Stop & Shop embarks on its future journey, I wish Roger and the entire team all the best for the future.”
Quincy, Mass.-based Stop & Shop is an omnichannel retailer with more than 50,000 associates serving millions of customers across five states in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. It operates more than 350 stores, 213 pharmacies, 98 fuel stations and 347 online pickup hubs and grocery delivery services throughout its market area.
This story originally appeared on sister publication Progressive Grocer.
