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Boer Seen Continuing Ahold Strategy

AMSTERDAM — Dick Boer is expected to continue Ahold's current strategies when he takes over as chief executive officer of the multinational retailer next March, an analyst who follows the company here told SN Thursday.

AMSTERDAM — Dick Boer is expected to continue Ahold's current strategies when he takes over as chief executive officer of the multinational retailer next March, an analyst who follows the company here told SN Thursday.

"Ahold announced several logical management changes which we expect to imply a continuation of the company's current strategy including a realistic and rational view on [mergers and acquisitions]," said Patrick Roquas, an analyst with Rabobank, following the announcement that Boer would succeed John Rishton as CEO when Rishton leaves to join Rolls-Royce PLC. "Mr. Boer is a highly respected and successful retailer [and] we expect him to continue the strategy of Ahold."

Boer is currently chief operating officer of Ahold Europe and is credited with leading a turnaround at Albert Heijn, Ahold's flagship banner in the Netherlands. He had been considered for the CEO post before Rishton was hired in 2008, Roquas said.

In addition, Ahold said Larry Benjamin, the COO of Ahold's U.S. operations, which include the Stop & Shop, Giant-Landover and Giant-Carlisle chains, will retire early next year, to be succeeded by Carl Schlicker, the current chief executive officer of Ahold USA Retail. Sander van der Laan, who briefly ran the Giant-Carlisle operations in the U.S. before returning to Ahold Europe last year, was named to succeed Boer as COO of Ahold Europe. Both van der Laan and Schlicker will report to Boer.

Roquas also praised van der Laan as a good choice to for the European post.