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Kroger names former Walmart leader Greg Foran as CEO

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February 9, 2026

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Supermarket brand The Kroger Co. has appointed Greg Foran as CEO effective immediately.

Foran will join the board of directors and succeeds Ron Sargent, who had been serving as interim CEO since March, 2025, according to a press release. Sargent will continue to serve as chairman of the board.

The appointment follows an extensive search process.

"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 release. "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 led Walmart U.S. for six years. 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.

"Kroger is one of the most dynamic companies in retail," Foran said in the release. "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."