QUINCY, MA - Ahold has announced that a few of its executive positions have undergone some restructuring in order to simplify operations, speed up its decision-making process, as well as support stores more effectively.

The company stated that the changes will go into effect on June 22, 2015.

The restructuring involves three executives:

• Current Senior Vice President of Store Strategy & Execution Nick Bertram.
• Current Senior Vice President of Merchandising Services & Support Marissa Nelson.
• Current Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Steve Rowell.

Nick Bertram will now go into the role of Senior Vice President of Merchandising Strategy & Support, a new position intended to simplify the organization and improve the company’s ability to serve customers. Bertram’s position will provide core merchandising teams with comprehensive support on product assortment, pricing, and promotions.

Dean Wilkinson, current Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Giant Landover, will assume Bertram's former position.

Marissa Nelson will now lead an expanded focus on healthy living across Ahold USA’s companies as Senior Vice President of Responsible Retailing & Healthy Living, an expansion of Ahold USA’s current Responsible Retailing function.

Steve Rowell will retain his current title and responsibilities, but also take on additional responsibilities such as overseeing external communications, including media relations, government relations, and community affairs.

“With a clear and constant focus on serving the evolving needs of customers and stores, we are making significant, rapid progress in turning Ahold USA into an even faster, stronger and more responsive organization,” James McCann, Chief Operating Officer of Ahold USA, said in a press release. “While there are still important decisions to make over the next few weeks, we now have a new organizational framework in place –ahead of schedule – that reduces management layers, increases the number of direct reports for many managers and brings important decisions closer to the stores that serve local shoppers each day.”

Ahold and the Delhaize Group also announced confirmation of the rumors that we previously reported about higher company levels being in talks for a potential merger. While both commented in separate press releases that “these discussions may or may not result in a future transaction,” both did say they were exploring the option of combining the two companies.

Both releases stated they would communicate material updates, if any, in accordance with regulatory requirements. AndNowUKnow will continue to keep you up to date on this story as it develops.