QUINCY, Mass. and SALISBURY, N.C., May 21, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Ahold Delhaize USA announced the creation of a new entity, Peapod Digital Labs, which will drive digital and eCommerce innovation, technology and experience to meet the changing needs of customers of its local brands, regardless of when, where and how consumers choose to shop. JJ Fleeman has been named as President of Peapod Digital Labs and Chief eCommerce Officer.

"We are excited about this new company, which will serve as the engine that powers our U.S. eCommerce and digital strategies," said Kevin Holt, Chief Executive Officer for Ahold Delhaize USA. "As one of the largest grocery retailers and a market leader in home delivery on the East Coast, the great local brands of Ahold Delhaize USA have a strong heritage of innovation. The creation of Peapod Digital Labs and appointment of JJ to lead the new company and serve as Chief eCommerce Officer will enable us to sharpen our focus on leveraging the size and scale of the U.S. brands to provide customers with a personalized and effortless shopping experience."

Peapod Digital Labs will accelerate growth in digital and personalization capabilities for the great local brands of Ahold Delhaize USA and will serve as the innovation lab for the U.S. portfolio of companies. It will also oversee the local brand Peapod, already the nation's largest online grocery retailer, which is headquartered in Chicago, Ill.

"Ahold Delhaize USA is creating Peapod Digital Labs, which will drive market-leading digital and eCommerce capabilities to power the company's six local brands as they create best-in-class customer experiences," said Fleeman. "We have a tremendous opportunity to build upon Peapod's longstanding history of innovating to meet consumers' needs to create an unparalleled omni-channel grocery experience.  Whether it's searching for inspiration on meals, shopping online or driving digital and personalization in-store, Peapod Digital Labs will enhance the digital experience to the benefit of U.S. consumers."  

A merchant and operator at heart, Fleeman most recently served as Executive Vice President, Commercial Services & Strategy for Ahold Delhaize USA's newly established support services company, Retail Business Services. Prior to that, Fleeman was Chief Strategy and Development Officer for Delhaize America, and played a key role as the Global Integration and Program Leader for Delhaize Group during the merger that created Ahold Delhaize. He also led the creation of a digital center of excellence at Delhaize America. Throughout his career, Fleeman has also held a diverse array of senior level roles in strategy, marketing, operations and merchandising.

Ahold Delhaize USA will build out Peapod Digital Labs in the coming months and expects to have the new organization fully operational by year-end.

About Ahold Delhaize USA
Ahold Delhaize USA, a division of Zaandam-based Ahold Delhaize, is the parent company for Ahold Delhaize's U.S. companies, including its local brands, Food Lion, Giant Food, GIANT/MARTIN'S, Hannaford and Stop & Shop, as well as online grocery retailer Peapod and Retail Business Services, a U.S. support services company providing services to the brands. The local brands of Ahold Delhaize USA operate nearly 2,000 stores and distribution centers across 23 states, serving millions of customers each week through a wide variety of store formats with thousands of food and non-food items.