CINCINNATI — The Kroger Co. announced that its board of directors has appointed former Walmart U.S. chief Greg Foran as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Foran will also join Kroger’s board of directors, succeeding Ron Sargent, who has served as interim CEO since March 2025. The appointment concludes an extensive search by the Board to find an innovative retail leader with a proven ability to execute at scale.
Sargent will continue to serve as chairman of the board, ensuring a smooth leadership transition. The company will provide an additional update on the leadership transition during its March 5 earnings call.
"Greg is a highly respected operator who knows how to run large-scale retail businesses, strengthen store execution, and lead high-performing teams," said Sargent. "His leadership style, focus on the customer, commitment to associates, and disciplined approach to execution are the perfect fit for Kroger. The board is confident Greg is the right leader to guide Kroger into its next chapter."
Foran brings over 40 years of experience leading large, complex consumer businesses through periods of transformation, growth, and digital adoption. Having led businesses across five countries, he brings a global perspective on innovation and a deep belief that culture is the foundation and the key to delivering consistent top- and bottom-line growth.
Foran led Walmart U.S. for six years, where he oversaw a turnaround of the company's largest division until 2019. He accelerated Walmart's digital capabilities, introducing online ordering and pick up and driving meaningful retail media results. During his tenure, Foran delivered positive comparable sales growth for 20 consecutive quarters and managed more than 4,600 stores and one million associates.
He most recently served as CEO of Air New Zealand where he led an end-to-end digital transformation to improve the customer experience and make the business more agile. Foran guided the airline through significant disruption amid the pandemic, maintaining a focus on operational rigor and long-term resilience. Throughout his five years as CEO, he led complex union negotiations, managed multiple supply chain crises, and invested in fleet upgrades.
"Kroger is one of the most dynamic companies in retail," said Foran. "The company is built on a strong foundation, supported by a talented leadership team, and caring associates who are dedicated to the customers and communities they serve. At this moment in Kroger's journey, I can honestly say this is the best job on the planet. I look forward to working with the Board and the entire team to build on this momentum, continue raising the bar for customers, and deliver long-term value for customers, associates, and shareholders."
The company is reaffirming its previously issued fiscal year 2025 guidance and remains committed to delivering sustainable value for shareholders.
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