Kroger plans to appoint retail veteran Greg Foran as its next chief executive, according to the Wall Street Journal. It signals a fresh start after leadership turmoil and a blocked $24.6 billion merger with Albertsons.
The supermarket chain replaced former CEO Rodney McMullen in March following an investigation into his personal conduct. Interim CEO Ron Sargent has led since then.
Foran, 64, would become Kroger’s first outside CEO hire. He previously ran Walmart’s US division from 2014 to 2019, where he improved store standards, cut prices, and boosted employee pay. He later served Air New Zealand through the pandemic.
The Cincinnati-based grocer is cutting costs, closing weak stores, and lowering prices to attract budget shoppers. It has cut about 1,000 corporate jobs and shut some facilities.
Kroger reported $147 billion in fiscal 2024 revenue and faces strong competition from Walmart, Aldi, and Publix.