Ahold USA and Delhaize America, the United States subsidiaries of Netherlands-based grocery store retailer Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV, said Feb. 6 that they are rolling out a series of measures to boost the competitiveness of their respective grocery store brands. Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize, or Royal Ahold Delhaize, formed in 2016 through the $28 billion merger of Holland's Ahold and Belgium's Delhaize.

The two subsidiaries said they have created a new unit, called Retail Business Services LLC. The new unit will provide financial services, commercial support, legal and information technology services to the two companies' operations. The Delhaize America and Ahold USA brands, including Stop & Shop, Giant Foods, Giant/Martin's, Peapod, Food Lion and Hannaford brands, will have customized strategies according to the target markets.

Ahold USA said combining the Stop & Shop New York Metro and Stop & Shop New England divisions into one brand organization will strengthen the brand. The brands of both subsidiaries will keep operating independently in the U.S.