This premium Dutch pets and gardening retailer had established a complete new strategy in order to make the company future-proof. Key objective of the strategy in 2020 was to create a solid basis in the organisation on all fronts on which new strategic initiatives could be leveraged. This resulted in various successful initiatives like the creation of a new brand identity and of a complete new store formula, the drastical upgrade of the current IT landscape and IT support, the innovation of Welkoop’s logistic operations and the reshape of its current webstore channel into a full omnichannel concept. All initiatives were bundled in the strategic program ‘WAVE’. Loek Meijers was requested by the Board of Directors of Welkoop to support on the design of this program, monitor its progress, motivate and support individual project leaders and look after main interdependencies. Furthermore, he worked closely together with the formula manager to erect three pilot stores, in which the new store formula is tested.

Why did you chose Loek for this crucial program for Welkoop?

Loek had the right strategic and operational experience for the job on hand. He proved not only to be strategically sound,  but his pragmatism and will to succeed gave us the mileage we needed.

What is your impression of Loek’s contribution to the success of the strategic program ‘WAVE’?

Loek did an outstanding job in defining and coordinating the job. During his tenure many of our senior project leaders grew to proficiency because of Loek working together with them.

Loek in three words?

Smart, reliable and pragmatic

If I am allowed a fourth, I would describe Loek as “human glue 

Casper Meijer - CEO Welkoop Retail