The Growth and Retirement of Jef Colruyt, Former CEO of Colruyt Group

After the death of his father Jo in 1994, Jef Colruyt, at the age of 36, became CEO of Colruyt Group faster than expected. Under his leadership, the group has grown into the largest supermarket chain in the country. This year, almost 30 years later, Jef Colruyt turns 65 and retires.

On July 1, he handed over the day-to-day management to Stefan Goethaert. It is the first time that the family business is led by someone who is not part of the family, after founder Frans Colruyt, son Jo and grandson Jef.