Kroger new CEO Greg Foran officially took over leadership of The Kroger Co. on February 9, 2026, marking a major shift for the largest standalone grocery retailer in the United States. Foran — best known for his successful turnaround of Walmart’s U.S. business and his recent tenure as CEO of Air New Zealand — steps into the role as Kroger confronts formidable competitive pressures, changing consumer habits, and ambitious digital transformation goals.
Foran’s appointment comes nearly a year after the abrupt resignation of Kroger’s previous CEO, Rodney McMullen, who stepped down in March 2025 following an internal ethics investigation. Interim CEO Ron Sargent, formerly of Staples, has continued to lead Kroger through a challenging period of store closures, strategic pivots, and ongoing efforts to expand e-commerce capabilities.
Veteran Retail Leader Brings Deep Experience
Greg Foran brings more than four decades of retail leadership to Kroger. His most prominent role before this was as President and CEO of Walmart U.S., where he oversaw more than 4,600 stores and more than one million associates. During his tenure, Foran was credited with steering the division through 20 consecutive quarters of positive comparable sales growth.
At Walmart, he expanded digital ordering and pickup services and strengthened the retailer’s online footprint — experience that Kroger hopes will be invaluable as it seeks to turn its own digital business profitable in 2026. Foran also most recently served as CEO of Air New Zealand, where he led the airline through pandemic-related disruptions and refocused its operations on agility and long-term resilience.
Sargent praised Foran’s leadership qualities, emphasizing his customer focus, operational rigor, and ability to lead large, complex organizations. “Greg is a highly respected operator who knows how to run large-scale retail businesses, strengthen store execution, and lead high-performing teams,” Sargent said in the company’s announcement.
Competitive Retail Environment and Strategic Challenges
Kroger’s leadership change occurs amid intensifying competitive pressure in the U.S. grocery sector. Traditional rivals such as Walmart have aggressively expanded their grocery offerings, while discount chains like Aldi and Lidl have attracted price-conscious consumers looking for low-cost alternatives. The shift in consumer behaviour toward online ordering and hybrid shopping models has further complicated Kroger’s efforts to secure market share.
In addition, Kroger’s ambitious bid to merge with Albertsons Companies Inc. in 2022 was blocked by federal regulators, dealing a blow to the company’s growth strategy. The failure of that merger forced Kroger to rethink its approach, focusing more on operational efficiency and organic growth rather than large-scale acquisitions.
According to industry observers, one of Foran’s top priorities will be strengthening Kroger’s value proposition with shoppers while improving price competitiveness against rivals that have already optimized lower-priced offerings. With consumers remaining selective due to inflationary pressures and cost-of-living concerns, Kroger’s leadership must balance competitive pricing with profitability.
Stock Market Reaction and Investor Confidence
The announcement of Kroger’s new CEO was met with a positive reaction in financial markets. Shares of The Kroger Co. rose approximately 6% in pre-market trading following reports of Foran’s appointment, reflecting investor optimism about the leadership transition and Foran’s track record in retail operations.
Analysts at Evercore ISI described Foran’s hiring as a move that “brings instant credibility” to Kroger’s turnaround strategy, especially after nearly a year of leadership uncertainty. The board’s decision to extend Foran a mandate during this pivotal period signals confidence that his experience can help stabilize performance and chart a path toward renewed growth.
Strategic Priorities Under New Leadership
Under the new leadership of Kroger new CEO Greg Foran, several strategic priorities are expected to come into focus:
- Digital Transformation: Kroger aims to finally make its e-commerce business profitable. Efforts to improve hybrid fulfillment models — blending store-level order assembly with partnerships such as Uber Eats and Postmates — are expected to expand under Foran’s guidance.
- Operational Efficiency: Drawing on his Walmart experience, Foran may emphasize basics like inventory management, store operations, and price leadership to better compete with discount rivals.
- Customer Engagement: Kroger has recently launched initiatives such as an AI-powered personal shopping assistant and hybrid fulfillment systems to enhance customer experience and retention. These innovations could gain greater strategic emphasis under new leadership.
- Brand and Value Differentiation: Kroger’s private-label portfolio and in-store services, including Kroger Health clinics, could become focal points to drive consistent store traffic and deeper brand loyalty.
Foran’s challenge will be to integrate digital expertise with Kroger’s vast physical footprint — an operational balancing act that reflects broader shifts in how consumers shop for groceries in an omnichannel retail environment.
Broader Retail Landscape Implications
Foran’s appointment also comes at a broader moment of transformation for U.S. retail. Grocery chains are battling over market share not just with each other but with big-box stores and e-commerce players that have diversified into grocery delivery. Kroger’s competitors like Walmart currently command a significant share of the U.S. grocery market, juxtaposed with Kroger’s smaller footprint.
Achieving digital profitability while maintaining competitive pricing and customer satisfaction will be critical if Kroger hopes to sustain its relevance amid these industry-wide shifts.
Leadership Transition and Organizational Impact
The transition from interim CEO Ron Sargent to Greg Foran reflects Kroger’s commitment to bringing in external expertise to tackle operational and strategic challenges. Sargent remains as board chairman, providing continuity and support while Foran focuses on execution and growth.
The internal leadership shift also sends a message to employees and stakeholders that Kroger is serious about moving past the turbulence of the last year and pursuing a clear strategic direction. Analysts believe this combination of continuity at the board level and fresh thinking at the CEO level could help stabilize morale and corporate focus as Kroger enters its next chapter.
Looking Ahead: Expectations for 2026 and Beyond
With Kroger new CEO Greg Foran in place, the company enters 2026 with renewed investor interest and strategic clarity. Analysts expect Kroger to outline additional details about its long-term priorities during its upcoming earnings call in March, where leadership will likely discuss future investment areas, performance expectations, and roadmap initiatives.
Whether Kroger can leverage its scale, brand equity, and operational expertise to compete with larger rivals and adapt to evolving consumer behaviour remains a central question. However, with Foran’s leadership and the strategic signal sent by his appointment, the company has positioned itself to pursue renewed growth and adapt to the modern retail landscape.
This article is part of FFRNEWS Business coverage, tracking leadership changes, corporate strategy, and grocery retail trends. Details are based on reporting from Reuters, AP News, Investing.com, and business analytics coverage on Kroger’s CEO appointment and market response.
