Kroger plans to name Greg Foran as its next chief executive, according to people familiar with the matter. The company could announce the appointment as soon as Monday, concluding an almost yearlong effort to find a permanent chief executive following the departure of Rodney McMullen over an undisclosed ethics violation.
The grocery giant, the largest U.S. grocer by sales after Walmart, has been searching for an outside candidate capable of bringing a new perspective as it confronts a combination of cash-strapped shoppers and intensifying competition. Kroger's near-term priorities include managing food-price inflation and expanding its store footprint, objectives that have gained urgency since its $20 billion bid for rival Albertsons collapsed in 2024.
Foran's professional record includes leading Walmart's U.S. business from 2014 to 2019, a period during which he concentrated on fresh food, store operations and the retailer's online grocery efforts. He subsequently served as chief executive of Air New Zealand through the pandemic.
Since McMullen's exit, Kroger has been run by chairman Ron Sargent. Under his interim leadership, management has emphasized cost reductions and promotional strategies aimed at preserving and growing market share.
Context and operational focus
The choice of an external executive with deep experience in both in-store operations and online grocery signals Kroger's intent to reinforce core retail capabilities while addressing evolving consumer behavior. The company's stated aims - constraining food-price inflation and pursuing store expansion after the failed Albertsons deal - reflect a blend of defensive and growth-oriented tactics designed to respond to a tougher consumer environment and a competitive grocery landscape.
What to watch next
- Timing of the formal announcement, which sources say could happen as early as Monday.
- How the new CEO balances cost control measures with investments in store operations and online grocery.
- Whether Kroger maintains the interim operational approach driven by the chairman or pivots under new leadership.