Kroger Names Former Walmart Executive as Its New CEO

Kroger has named former Walmart executive Greg Foran as its chief executive officer, 11 months after the abrupt resignation of its previous CEO, Dee-Ann Durbin reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Froman led Walmart’s US division from 2014 to 2019, where he focused on cleaning up stores, ensuring items were in stock, and improving fresh produce selection. (Photo: New Zealand China Council) 

Foran has a reputation as a tech-savvy and detail-oriented leader.

He led Walmart’s US division from 2014 to 2019, where he focused on cleaning up stores, ensuring items were in stock, and improving fresh produce selection. He also introduced online ordering and pickup and accelerated Walmart’s digital capabilities.

Walmart has reshaped itself into a tech-powered retail giant that leans heavily into automation and artificial intelligence, making it one of the biggest competitive threats to Kroger, the largest standalone US supermarket chain.

Shares of The Kroger Co. rose nearly 7% in early trading at one point after the announcement.

Walmart currently controls around 21% of the US grocery market, compared with 8.5% for Kroger, according to market research firm Numerator. Kroger also faces growing pressure from discount chains like Aldi and Lidl, as well as online competitors such as Amazon.