In the US, retail group Food Lion has announced that Mark Messier, vice-president of retail services, has been handed the role of vice-president of the US supply chain for Delhaize, Food Lion's parent group.

Mr Messier, who is also chairman of the board for the Food Lion Charitable Foundation, joined Food Lion in 2001 and has occupied a number of different roles including director of the deli/bakery category and regional vice-president of operations.

Food Lion's director of retail labor and standards Greg Finchum has left his role to replace Mr Messier as vice-president of retail services. In his new position, Mr Finchum will oversee training, retail labor management, food safety and quality assurance, standard practice enhancement, market renewal and prototype planning.

Mr Finchum has taken on various roles at Food Lion since joining in 1989, including perishable manager, store manager, project manager, district manager and director of operations.