Stop & Shop names new chief merchant
Ahold Delhaize USA has promoted one of its executives to the C-suite of one of its leading banners.
Lee Nicholson, senior VP of procurement for Ahold Delhaize USA, has been appointed as the new executive VP and chief merchant at Stop & Shop, effective at the start of the new year. He will be responsible for merchandising strategy, category management, promotional planning and execution and pricing at Stop & Shop.
Nicholson has more than 30 years of industry experience, including more than 20 years with Ahold Delhaize USA and its companies. As the senior VP of procurement since 2021, he oversaw functions including forecasting, replenishment, procurement governance and procurement services.
“I’m excited about Lee returning to Stop & Shop and the experience he will bring as we continue to evolve our customer experience,” said Roger Wheeler, president of Stop & Shop. “Lee will carry forward the next phases of the large, multi-year price investments Stop & Shop is making, which is a key part of our commitment to strengthen our customer value proposition. Lee is an excellent leader who has the ability to build strong teams focused on the customer, and I look forward to aligning our merchandising strategies to support our work to reposition Stop & Shop.”
Nicholson joined the companies of Ahold Delhaize USA in 2004, working as a grocery buyer and then category manager at Stop & Shop. His retail career also includes roles at Walmart, SuperValu and Winn-Dixie.
[READ MORE: Stop & Shop rolls out in-store digital coupon kiosks]
Headquartered in Quincy, Mass., Stop & Shop operates more than 350 stores, 213 pharmacies, 98 fuel stations and 347 online pickup hubs and grocery delivery services in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey.
Netherlands-based Ahold Delhaize, operates more than 2,000 stores across 23 states under the Food Lion, Giant Food, The Giant Co., Hannaford and Stop & Shop banners.
