Peapod Co-founder Named President
ZAANDAM, the Netherlands - Ahold said Friday that Andrew Parkinson has been appointed president of its wholly owned subsidiary Peapod, the leading internet grocer in the United States.
Parkinson takes over from previous president and c.e.o. Marc van Gelder, who is returning to the Netherlands to join the executive board of OPG Group N.V., a pharmacy and medical supply retail and distribution company. Parkinson and his brother, Thomas, founded Peapod in 1989 and pioneered the online grocery delivery concept. Most recently Andrew Parkinson served as the company's c.f.o.
"Ahold intends to grow its online grocery business and offer customers another convenient way to shop," said Ahold U.S. Retail president and c.e.o. Bill Grize in a statement. "We want to thank Marc van Gelder for his leadership in developing and executing Ahold's bricks-and-clicks strategy, which resulted in the doubling of Peapod sales. We are excited to have Andrew Parkinson leading us forward. His passion for excellence and commitment to the business are the right ingredients for Peapod's continued success."
"This is an exciting point in our history," said Parkinson. "We've proven ourselves with exceptional quality and service and as a result we are growing over 20 percent a year." He added that Peapod opened four new markets in 2004.
Parkinson takes over from previous president and c.e.o. Marc van Gelder, who is returning to the Netherlands to join the executive board of OPG Group N.V., a pharmacy and medical supply retail and distribution company. Parkinson and his brother, Thomas, founded Peapod in 1989 and pioneered the online grocery delivery concept. Most recently Andrew Parkinson served as the company's c.f.o.
"Ahold intends to grow its online grocery business and offer customers another convenient way to shop," said Ahold U.S. Retail president and c.e.o. Bill Grize in a statement. "We want to thank Marc van Gelder for his leadership in developing and executing Ahold's bricks-and-clicks strategy, which resulted in the doubling of Peapod sales. We are excited to have Andrew Parkinson leading us forward. His passion for excellence and commitment to the business are the right ingredients for Peapod's continued success."
"This is an exciting point in our history," said Parkinson. "We've proven ourselves with exceptional quality and service and as a result we are growing over 20 percent a year." He added that Peapod opened four new markets in 2004.