Simon de Wit

Simon de Wit was a large family-owned chain of supermarkets in the Netherlands.

For the company's owner and Olympic competitor, see Simon de Wit (rower).

The company was founded by Simon de Wit (1852–1934), who after his father's death in 1867 started a grocery store from his parental house in Wormerveer. In 1888 he opened the first branch in Amsterdam and by 1900 he ran stores at 30 different locations and owned a central warehouse in Zaandam.[1]

In 1954 the opening of the 150th store was celebrated. In 1970, when Simon de Wit's grandson Simon was in charge, a fire destroyed the central warehouse in Zaandam.[2] Soon after Albert Heijn, which also originated in the Zaanstreek, showed interest in a takeover and in 1973 Simon de Wit merged with Albert Heijn, with all employees retaining their jobs. All remaining shops took on the name of the latter.

References
  1. Short history (in Dutch)
  2. Wit, Simon de at zaanwiki.nl


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