Who is Lee Nicholson?

Lee Nicholson was named the Executive Vice President of Merchandising at Stop & Shop in 2025, bringing over 20 years of experience working for Ahold Delhaize USA. Prior to this role, he worked for Stop & Shop’s parent company, Ahold Delhaize, in various Vice President positions, including the SVP of Procurement. Upon stepping into his new role, he expressed his so-called commitment to “driving forward Stop & Shop’s repositioning for future growth.” But if that’s the case, why does Lee continue to hold Stop & Shop back by continuing to allow the company to sell caged eggs, a practice that clearly belongs in the past?

Nearly a decade ago, Stop & Shop promised consumers it would end the abuse of hens in its supply chains. However, it still has not fulfilled this sustainability goal. Stop & Shop is only 100% cage-free in states where it’s legally required, such as its headquarters state of Massachusetts. The company continues to sell eggs that come from extremely cruel, dirty, and inhumane conditions in states where it’s not illegal to do so. Consumers are outraged and want Stop & Shop to take its commitment seriously and follow through on its promise to stop supporting the cruel caging of egg-laying hens.

As consumers—and Stop & Shop’s own leaders—know, making a promise is not the same as making good on a promise.

Caged egg-laying hens spend their lives crammed together in barren wire cages. They cannot dust-bathe or express most of their natural behaviors. Often, they suffer from broken bones and mental anguish. Each hen is unable even to spread her wings, and she only has as much space as the size of a sheet of paper within which to live her entire, miserable life. Ahold Delhaize claims to be “a passionate supporter of the well-being and welfare of farm animals,” yet its brands continue to support a practice so cruel that many states have made it illegal.

True leadership means acting with integrity everywhere, not just where the law requires it. That’s why we’re calling on Lee to lead Stop & Shop in going 100% cage-free across all its stores, and why we’re bringing our message to its headquarters city.

Will Lee Nicholson choose to do the right thing and encourage his fellow leaders to ensure Stop & Shop fulfills its cage-free egg commitment, or will he continue to let Stop & Shop fail to fulfill its sustainability pledge?

Click “Take Action” below to tell Lee Nicholson that consumers demand accountability and animals deserve better. Now is the time to demonstrate true leadership by showing the world that Stop & Shop is committed to upholding its promises and ending the abuse of animals in its supply chain.