Kroger (KR.US) has selected former Wal-Mart US Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran as its next CEO, according to informed sources. This move concludes the company's months-long search for a new leader. An official announcement regarding the appointment could be made as early as Monday.

Following the resignation last year of long-time CEO Rodney McMullen due to ethical issues, the company has been under the interim leadership of Chairman Ron Sargent, the former CEO of Staples. Under Sargent's guidance, Kroger implemented a series of adjustments, including cutting approximately 1,000 corporate positions, closing underperforming stores and fulfillment centers, and reinvesting the savings into promotional activities, private-label brand expansion, and price reductions.

Kroger has been without a permanent CEO for an extended period and had previously indicated a preference for an external hire to bring a fresh management perspective. Public records show that Foran, the appointee, led Wal-Mart's (WMT.US) US operations from 2014 to 2019. During his tenure, he focused on optimizing store operations, managing the fresh food category, and strengthening inventory discipline, which contributed to significant performance improvements for Wal-Mart's US division. Subsequently, he served as CEO of Air New Zealand until the end of 2025.

Foran's arrival coincides with a critical juncture in Kroger's strategic transformation. The company currently faces an industry environment with persistent pressure on food prices. Furthermore, after its planned $20 billion acquisition of Albertsons (ACI.US) in 2024 encountered obstacles, Kroger urgently needs to explore new growth avenues. On another front, heightened consumer price sensitivity is prompting Kroger to accelerate adjustments to its competitive strategy—aiming to maintain market share while seeking differentiated breakthroughs by intensifying direct competition with discount grocers.

This leadership change also occurs amid a wave of executive transitions at major retail corporations, with Target (TGT.US) and Wal-Mart (WMT.US) also recently welcoming new CEOs. Kroger reported revenue of $147 billion for its 2024 fiscal year and stated that despite intensified competition from Aldi, Wal-Mart, and Publix, its efforts have helped it expand its market share in the grocery sector.