SALISBURY — Food Lion’s parents company has established an award in honor of Delhaize Group CEO Pierre-Olivier Beckers, who will retire at the end of the year.
Delhaize America, which is based in Salisbury along with Food Lion, created the annual award named for Beckers, who has worked at Delhaize Group for 30 years and served as CEO for 15 years.
On behalf of Delhaize America, new Food Lion President Beth Newlands Campbell announced the award Wednesday and presented it to Beckers in front of hundreds of associates during a meeting in Salisbury.
The inaugural award will be presented during the first quarter of 2014 to a Delhaize America associate who exemplifies the leadership and values that Beckers has brought to the organization, a Delhaize America spokeswoman said.
Beckers always has made a point to spend time in Delhaize grocery stores, connecting with associates from cashier to store manager, Newlands Campbell said during the presentation.
“It’s evident that you are a true retailer at heart,” she said. “Every day when you came to work, you never forgot that our number one job is to take care of our customers and sell groceries.
Beginning in 2014, the award will be presented annually to a Delhaize America associate who exemplifies leadership.
Delhaize America has more than 1,500 stores along the East Coast. In addition to Food Lion, other banners include Bottom Dollar Food and Hannaford.
Delhaize America employs more than 100,000 people and is part of Delhaize Group, an international grocery retailer based in Brussels, Belgium.