Cincinnati—It’s February 9, 2026, and the clock reads 08:37 EST.
Kroger has tapped Greg Foran, a former Walmart executive, as its new chief executive, closing the book on a year-long CEO search that started with Rodney McMullen’s exit last March. The stock jumped roughly 6% in premarket trading. Evercore ISI’s Michael Montani noted Foran’s “instant credibility” after steering a turnaround in Walmart’s U.S. stores. Foran steps in while Kroger contends with sluggish demand and pressure from rivals like Walmart. 1
Grocery chains don’t get much room for error these days—customers chasing savings can switch stores in seconds with a tap. Kroger’s board is counting on a leader with a knack for nailing store operations to keep the chain sharp on price and ease of shopping.
Foran’s appointment effectively closes the chapter on last year’s leadership turmoil. The company now has a permanent chief executive in place before its upcoming results and strategy update.
Kroger announced Greg Foran will take over as CEO effective immediately, also stepping onto the board and replacing interim chief Ron Sargent, who stays on as chairman. The grocer touted Foran’s track record at Walmart, where he logged 20 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth, and noted his digital overhaul efforts at Air New Zealand. Kroger left its fiscal 2025 outlook unchanged and said investors would hear more about the transition during the March 5 earnings call. 2
Sargent, in the company’s statement, described Greg as “a highly respected operator.” Foran, meanwhile, praised Kroger as “one of the most dynamic companies in retail” and said the new job was “the best job on the planet.” 3
Walmart’s grip on the U.S. grocery sector is tightening, putting more pressure on Kroger and its peers as customers tack groceries onto regular shopping runs. According to market researcher Numerator, Walmart commands about 21% of the grocery market. Kroger holds 8.5%. In 2022, Kroger moved to merge with Albertsons to better compete with Walmart, Costco and others. That deal hit a wall this year: The Federal Trade Commission, along with Washington and Colorado, sued in 2024, and judges later blocked the merger. 4
A fresh CEO won’t magically solve razor-thin grocery margins or end the price battles right away. Missteps on service or misjudging what shoppers want? That’s all it takes for Walmart and discounters to grab market share fast.
Foran’s initial move—whether it’s pricing, service tweaks, or a digital overhaul—will be the early signal. Watch how rapidly he shifts the internal tempo.
