Dive Brief:
- Lidl US has named Alan Barry, currently the grocer’s chief operating officer, to serve as its next CEO, according to a spokesperson for the company.
- Barry, a former Lidl executive in Ireland and Great Britain, will assume his new role in July.
- Barry will be the latest in a string of executives who have led the German grocer’s stateside business since the chain opened its first U.S. stores in 2017.
Dive Insight:
Lidl’s selection of Barry to head its operations in the United States follows the company’s disclosure in January that Joel Rampoldt, who had served as Lidl US’s chief executive since 2023, had stepped down from the role.
Marco Giudici, who served at the time as Lidl US’s chief customer officer and was formerly CEO of Lidl Romania, became interim CEO when Rampoldt left his position.
Barry has worked for various Lidl divisions for about two decades and joined Lidl US in 2024 after serving for just over two years as chief development officer of Lidl Ireland, according to his LinkedIn profile. He previously held that role for Lidl’s divisions in Great Britain, Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The spokesperson also said that Lidl US has selected Maciej Tylkowski and Jassine Ouali to serve as chief operating officer and chief customer officer, respectively, under Barry. Tylkowski and Ouali will join Lidl US after serving in similar roles with Lidl in Great Britain and France, the spokesperson said.
“Lidl remains committed to its long-term US growth strategy, and the addition of Maciej Tylkowski and Jassine Ouali to the leadership team will further enhance our customer experience and deliver on our promise of exceptional value and quality,” Barry said in a statement.
German business news outlet Lebensmittel Zeitung first reported the executive changes at Lidl US.
Lidl US’s top position has been a revolving door, with the company’s last three permanent CEOs — Rampoldt, Michal Lagunionek and Johannes Fieber — having each served in the role for about three years or less.
Lidl has approximately 200 stores stateside.
