Greg Foran Appointed to Lead Kroger Grocery Chain After Tenure as Walmart US CEO
Walmart CEO Doug McMillan joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to discuss his retirement, inflation pressures, tariffs, AI-driven growth and the future of America’s largest retailer.
A former top rival of grocery giant Kroger has been named the company’s next chief executive officer.
Greg Foran, the former CEO of Walmart’s U.S. division, will now lead Kroger following an “extensive” year-long search for “an innovative retail leader with a strong track record,” the company announced on Monday.
Kroger, recognized as America’s largest grocer by sales—trailing only Walmart—has been in search of a new leader since March 2025, when former CEO Rodney McMullen was ousted due to an undisclosed ethics violation.
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“Kroger is one of the most dynamic companies in retail,” Foran said in a press 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.”
A shopper pushes a cart inside a Kroger supermarket in Peoria, Illinois. (Getty Images)
“At this moment in Kroger’s journey, I can honestly say this is the best job on the planet,” he continued. “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.”
“Greg is a highly respected operator who knows how to run large-scale retail businesses, strengthen store execution, and lead high-performing teams,” Kroger Interim CEO Ron Sargent stated.
“His leadership style, focus on the customer, commitment to associates, and disciplined approach to execution are the perfect fit for Kroger,” Sargent added. “The Board is confident Greg is the right leader to guide Kroger into its next chapter.”
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Foran worked for Walmart from 2014 to 2019, where he is credited with managing and turning around over 4,600 stores while introducing digital ordering and pickup options. Under his leadership, Walmart achieved 20 consecutive quarters of comparable sales growth.
After leaving Walmart, the 64-year-old New Zealand native served as CEO of Air New Zealand until October.
In response to the announcement, Kroger shares rose approximately 5% shortly after the market opened.
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Following McMullen’s removal and prior to Foran’s appointment, Kroger undertook cost-cutting measures across its operations, eliminating around 1,000 jobs and closing numerous stores in recent months. Sargent previously indicated that the areas reviewed were not critical to the company’s future growth, asserting that closing the stores “will make the company more efficient.”
Kroger’s total company sales reached $33.9 billion in the third quarter of 2025, an increase from $33.6 billion during the same period last year. The company attributed this performance to strong demand in fresh food and e-commerce, which helped maintain steady sales.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillan joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to discuss his retirement, inflation pressures, tariffs, AI-driven growth and the future of America’s largest retailer.
A former top rival of grocery giant Kroger has been named the company’s next chief executive officer.
Greg Foran, the former CEO of Walmart’s U.S. division, will now lead Kroger following an “extensive” year-long search for “an innovative retail leader with a strong track record,” the company announced on Monday.
Kroger, recognized as America’s largest grocer by sales—trailing only Walmart—has been in search of a new leader since March 2025, when former CEO Rodney McMullen was ousted due to an undisclosed ethics violation.
BETTING COMPANY POLYMARKET OPENS N.Y.C.’S FIRST FREE GROCERY STORE IN DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN
“Kroger is one of the most dynamic companies in retail,” Foran said in a press 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.”
A shopper pushes a cart inside a Kroger supermarket in Peoria, Illinois. (Getty Images)
“At this moment in Kroger’s journey, I can honestly say this is the best job on the planet,” he continued. “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.”
“Greg is a highly respected operator who knows how to run large-scale retail businesses, strengthen store execution, and lead high-performing teams,” Kroger Interim CEO Ron Sargent stated.
“His leadership style, focus on the customer, commitment to associates, and disciplined approach to execution are the perfect fit for Kroger,” Sargent added. “The Board is confident Greg is the right leader to guide Kroger into its next chapter.”
FTC director of public affairs Douglas Farrar reacts to Albertsons suing Kroger after a judge ruled against the grocery merger on ‘The Big Money Show.’
Foran worked for Walmart from 2014 to 2019, where he is credited with managing and turning around over 4,600 stores while introducing digital ordering and pickup options. Under his leadership, Walmart achieved 20 consecutive quarters of comparable sales growth.
After leaving Walmart, the 64-year-old New Zealand native served as CEO of Air New Zealand until October.
In response to the announcement, Kroger shares rose approximately 5% shortly after the market opened.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
‘The Big Money Show’ panel breaks down new SNAP rules that raise the work requirement age to 64 and could cut 2.4 million recipients over the next decade.
Following McMullen’s removal and prior to Foran’s appointment, Kroger undertook cost-cutting measures across its operations, eliminating around 1,000 jobs and closing numerous stores in recent months. Sargent previously indicated that the areas reviewed were not critical to the company’s future growth, asserting that closing the stores “will make the company more efficient.”
Kroger’s total company sales reached $33.9 billion in the third quarter of 2025, an increase from $33.6 billion during the same period last year. The company attributed this performance to strong demand in fresh food and e-commerce, which helped maintain steady sales.
