Supermarket operator Ahold promotes Dick Boer to CEO, replacing John Rishton in March 2011

Ahold appoints Dick Boer as new CEO

AMSTERDAM — Royal Ahold NV, the Dutch owner of supermarkets including the U.S. Stop & Shop and Giant chains, says it will appoint Dutchman Dick Boer as its chief executive effective March 2011, replacing John Rishton.

Boer, 53, is currently Ahold’s top European executive and joined the company in 1998. Rishton is leaving to become CEO of Rolls Royce PLC.

The appointment announced Thursday must be approved by shareholders.

Ahold reported net profit of euro202 million ($275 million) in the second quarter, its most recent reporting period, up three percent from a year earlier. Sales rose 11 percent to euro7.13 billion.