Kroger Co. named Greg Foran as its new chief executive officer on Monday, filling the vacancy left by the sudden resignation of the company’s previous CEO nearly 11 months ago. Foran brings with him a leadership background from Walmart, where he served as the president and CEO of Walmart’s U.S. operations for six years before leaving in 2019.
During his tenure at Walmart, Foran spearheaded initiatives to introduce online ordering with in-store pickup and accelerated the company’s advancement in digital technology. Walmart has since transformed into a highly tech-driven retail powerhouse, emphasizing automation and artificial intelligence—developments that present a significant competitive challenge to Kroger, the largest standalone supermarket chain in the United States.
Following Kroger’s announcement of Foran’s appointment, its shares increased by 6% in pre-market trading on Monday. This move reflects market confidence in Foran’s ability to navigate Kroger through an increasingly competitive environment. Walmart currently controls roughly 21% of the American grocery sector, in contrast to Kroger’s 8.5%, based on data provided by the market research firm Numerator.
In an effort to enhance its market position against rivals like Walmart and Costco, Kroger had proposed a merger with the grocery chain Albertsons in 2022. However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), joined by the states of Washington and Colorado, initiated lawsuits in 2024 to prevent the merger. The regulatory bodies argued the consolidation would lead to higher consumer prices and reduced wages for workers due to diminished competition. Ultimately, the courts ruled against the merger proceeding.
Greg Foran succeeds Ron Sargent, who assumed the role of interim CEO following the resignation of Rodney McMullen in March last year. McMullen had served as Kroger’s CEO since 2014 and was also chairman of the board. He stepped down after a company investigation found his personal conduct violated Kroger’s ethics policies even though it was unrelated to business operations.
Sargent will remain chairman during the leadership transition to ensure stability. He praised Foran as a "highly respected operator who knows how to run large-scale retail businesses, strengthen store execution, and lead high-performing teams." Sargent highlighted Foran’s leadership approach, customer focus, dedication to associates, and disciplined execution as qualities that align well with Kroger’s strategic priorities.
Originally from New Zealand, Foran most recently served as the CEO of Air New Zealand, where he enhanced the airline’s digital functions, successfully negotiated with labor unions, and guided the company through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Kroger operates 2,731 stores across the United States and employs approximately 409,000 people.