According to supermarket expert Paul Moers, the conviction of former Jumbo CEO Frits van Eerd is a complete disaster for the image of Jumbo ‘. Now that Van Eerd has been found guilty, according to him, the whole situation is changing: “His reputation is completely broken.”
Frits van Eerd was sentenced on Thursday to two years in prison for bribery, money laundering and forgery. The fact that Van Eerd is no longer a suspect, but a convicted person, turns everything upside down: “That is a totally different position. His reputation is completely broken. And that also means that trust in Jumbo has sustained a dent.”
Moers has seen the supermarket chain struggling for years. “That also has to do with the behavior of Frits. He did fantastic things in the beginning, for example with the acquisition Super de Boer and C1000. Then he went wrong on all sides and that brought the formula on a roaming path.”
“It couldn’t have turned out worse.”
According to him, the statement influences how you as a consumer look at the brand. “Such a criminal case stays in the head with many people. I find the judge’s ruling very intense. Frits got it from all sides. It could not have turned out worse. This is a thump and for the image of Jumbo a complete disaster.”
According to the supermarket expert, this day is a crucial moment in the family history of the Van Eerd family. “It is very difficult to predict what will happen now. Let the damage come over and they continue their father’s company, or is this the time to change things?”
Moers wonders whether the family will be able to continue selling the company, in the worst case. “Maybe they feel an obligation towards their father Karel, not to do that. He has managed to build a very sympathetic brand that is now under pressure.”
“Frits remains for one third owner. That makes it incredibly difficult.”
Frits’ Sisters Colette and Monique – with him the owners of Jumbo – are still two very strong pillars under the company, according to the expert. “They are Jumbo and behave as Jumbo was once meant: really and honestly. One hundred percent Jumbo women. Frits will never return, but he is and will remain for one third owner of the formula. That makes it incredibly difficult.”