Mississauga, Ontario -- Walmart Canada has appointed an executive from Delhaize Group, Dirk Van den Berghe, as president and CEO, effective Aug. 1.
Van den Berghe, who has 30 years of international business experience, most recently served as CEO of Delhaize’s Belgium and Luxembourg operations. His appointment at Walmart was seen as a way for the discounter to strengthen its grocery business in Canada.
He succeeds Shelley Broader, who was recently promoted to president and CEO of Wal-Mart's EMEA Region which encompasses its operations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Canada.
“Under Dirk's leadership, Delhaize has been successful in several countries, and his vast experience will allow us to strengthen our growing food business in Canada and complements our highly successful general merchandise operation,” Broader stated. “One of Walmart's greatest strengths is having exceptional leaders to drive our continued growth, and Dirk is a prime example of this talent.”