Supermarket group Laurus is to appoint Jan Brouwer, who left rival company Schuitema earlier this year, as its new chairman. The appointment ends a string of rumours about who was to take up the reigns at Laurus (Super de Boer) which is struggling to retain market share.

Former boss Harry Bruijniks left in August after a difference of opinion with the supervisory board over strategy. Meanwhile, Schuitema – 73% owned by supermarket market leader Ahold – said this morning net sales were up 1% to €716 mln in the third quarter. Schuitema operates over 450 C1000 supermarkets.