Zaandam, Netherlands-based Ahold Delhaize has named Claire Peters as the next CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA, bringing in a global grocery executive whose résumé spans Amazon, Tesco, and Woolworths Group.
Peters will join the company on Sept. 8, succeeding JJ Fleeman, who announced earlier this year that he would depart Ahold Delhaize USA after a 36-year career to become CEO of Dollar General beginning in 2027.
Most recently, Peters served as vice president of Worldwide Fresh at Amazon, overseeing fresh food operations across North America and international markets. Before Amazon, she held senior leadership positions at Australia’s Woolworths Group and spent more than a decade with Tesco in the United Kingdom and Thailand.
Ahold Delhaize CEO Frans Muller said Peters brings deep experience in omnichannel grocery, operational leadership and business transformation, describing her as well-positioned to lead the company’s U.S. operations through their next phase of growth.
The appointment comes at a pivotal time for Ahold Delhaize’s U.S. business, which includes Food Lion, The Giant Co., Giant Food, Hannaford and Stop & Shop. Like much of the grocery industry, the company continues to invest heavily in digital capabilities, e-commerce, private brands and customer experience initiatives.
A History of Operational Accomplishments
Claire Peters joined Amazon in 2023 as Vice President of Worldwide Fresh, assuming responsibility for the company’s grocery operations across North America and international markets. During her tenure, she focused on stabilizing and modernizing the Amazon Fresh business following a period of uncertainty that included a pause in store expansion and questions surrounding the retailer’s highly publicized “Just Walk Out” technology.
Peters was widely credited with refocusing the organization on the fundamentals of grocery retailing.
She argued that while technology can enhance the shopping experience, it cannot compensate for weaknesses in assortment, pricing, merchandising, store operations, or customer service. Under her leadership, Amazon Fresh placed renewed emphasis on retail execution and the core principles that drive success in food retail.
In 2025, Peters stepped away from Amazon to focus on her family after her husband was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer. Following his recovery, she served as a senior advisor to several organizations, including Boston Consulting Group (BCG), before returning to leadership.
Industry observers and former colleagues consistently describe Peters as a pragmatic, people-focused leader who combines commercial rigor with empathy. Her leadership philosophy reflects a belief that long-term success is built on strong retail fundamentals, empowered teams, and a relentless focus on the customer.
Peters’ appointment to Ahold Delhaize’s management board remains subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.
