Jumbo has appointed Anrico Maat as Director of Jumbo Belgium, effective April 1, 2026, as the retailer prepares for its next stage of expansion in the Belgian market.
He takes over from Peter Isaac, who has led the business since 2019 and will remain involved as a strategic advisor.
Maat will now take full responsibility for Jumbo’s operations in Belgium, with a clear focus on growth, executing the retailer’s updated strategy, and strengthening links with the Dutch parent organisation, Jumbo Supermarkets.
Before this move, Maat served as Director of Sales at Jumbo in the Netherlands, overseeing daily operations across around 700 stores. He also has a long background as a Jumbo entrepreneur, previously running 20 stores in the north of the country and chairing the Jumbo Entrepreneurs Association.
The leadership change comes at a key moment for Jumbo in Belgium.
Under Isaac’s leadership, the business expanded to 44 stores and is on track to reach nearly €500 million in turnover by 2025. The retailer has positioned itself as a value-focused supermarket, combining pricing, service, and a wide assortment, while building local ties through regional sourcing and independent store operators.
Jumbo now aims to accelerate that model further, with a stronger push to attract new independent entrepreneurs and deepen its presence in local communities across Belgium.
At the same time, operational responsibilities in the Netherlands will shift. Maat’s former role will be absorbed by Boudewijn van den Brand in his position as Chief Operations Officer.
Isaac will continue to support the Belgian business in an advisory capacity, with a focus on guiding its ongoing expansion strategy.
The appointment signals a transition from market entry and early growth to a more structured expansion phase for Jumbo in Belgium, with leadership now aligned to scale the business further.
Why It Matters
This leadership change comes at a decisive point for Jumbo Belgium, as the business shifts from early expansion to a more structured growth phase. With 44 stores already operating and revenue moving toward €500 million, execution now matters more than entry.
For the wider supermarket market in Belgium, the move signals intensifying competition. Jumbo is pushing deeper into a model built on independent entrepreneurs, local sourcing, and strong price positioning — areas where established players are already under pressure.
Maat’s background in store operations and entrepreneurship suggests a sharper focus on day-to-day performance and local store ownership. That could accelerate store openings and improve consistency across the network, especially as Jumbo looks to attract more independent operators.
For suppliers and partners, this also points to continued demand for regional products and closer local relationships, as Jumbo leans further into community-based retail.
The next phase will be defined by how quickly Jumbo can scale without losing its value positioning — and how competitors respond as the Dutch retailer strengthens its footprint in Belgium.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on an official announcement from Jumbo Supermarkets regarding a leadership change at Jumbo Belgium. All details reflect company-released information as of March 31, 2026.
