Albertsons named former eBay and Hewlett Packard chief Meg Whitman to the newly created post of executive chair, as the grocery-store operator grapples with falling sales and cautious consumer spending.

Albertsons on Wednesday said Whitman will serve as an operations and strategic adviser to Chief Executive Susan Morris as the company works to sharpen strategy, strengthen execution and increase profitable growth throughout all parts of its business.

Whitman will also work with Morris to refine the Boise, Idaho, company's long-term strategy, Albertsons said.

Whitman served as president and CEO of online marketplace eBay from 1998 to 2008. She became CEO of Hewlett-Packard in 2011 and oversaw a turnaround at the company and its 2015 split of the company into HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

Albertsons in July said it would accelerate investments and operational changes aimed at improving its competitive position after cutting its full-year earnings guidance and forecasting a decline in identical sales.

Morris said at the time that the grocer's results "underscored the need to move faster."

Albertsons said Whitman's experience will be particularly relevant as she works with Morris to streamline the company's operating structure around AI technologies and a more consistent customer experience across stores and digital channels.

Albertsons said Kim Fennebresque, who had been board chair since September 2025, will now serve as lead independent director, adding that it has expanded the board to 11 members from 10.