Ahold Delhaize has completed the acquisition of FreshDirect, an online grocery delivery company functioning in seven Northeast states including major metropolitan areas.
Frans Miller, CEO of Ahold Delhaize, commented “We are pleased that we can definitively welcome FreshDirect to our family of great local brands.” He added, “We are looking forward to working with our new FreshDirect colleagues.”
FreshDirect has operated for two decades offering home delivery. With the advent of COVID-19, FreshDirect introduced a two-hour service in New York City subsequently extended to contiguous areas.
CEO of FreshDirect David McInerney will continue to lead the company. He stated “Ahold Delhaize will build on FreshDirect’s success ensuring the continued growth of our company while creating synergy and maintaining the uniqueness of the brand.” McInerney paid tribute to investment companies Centerbridge, Brightwood Advisors, Maverick Capital, and W Capital Partners who have supported the company.
FreshDirect will be supported by Peapod Digital Labs, a subsidiary of Ahold Delhaize and will contribute to the expansion of the Company omnichannel strategy in the U.S. that includes 1,400 existing pick-up locations competing with services offered by Walmart, Amazon, and Kroger.