Walmart Canada’s next CEO comes from Delhaize retail food group; starts Aug. 1

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Walmart Canada’s next president and CEO comes from the Delhaize Group, a Belgium-based food retailer that operates in eight countries and three continents.

Dirk Van den Berghe succeeds Shelley Broader, effective Aug. 1

He will report to Broader, who was recently promoted by Walmart and now has responsibility for its operations in Canada and the European, Mid-east and Africa region.

His arrival at Walmart Canada is a way for the general merchandiser to strengthen its food business in Canada.

Walmart Canada faces stiff competition with domestic grocery retailers such as Loblaw (TSX:L), Sobeys (TSX:EMP.A) and Metro (TSX:MRU) as well as U.S.-based chains such as Target (NYSE:TGT) and Costco (Nasdaq:COST).

Van den Berghe has also taught international business at the university level and was Belgium’s international trade commissioner for more than a decade.