The Kroger Co. has appointed Greg Foran as CEO, effective immediately, ending Ron Sargent’s tenure as interim CEO that began in March 2025.
Foran, who brings more than 40 years of experience leading large consumer businesses, will also join Kroger’s board of directors. The Cincinnati-based grocer made the announcement Feb. 9 following an extensive search process to identify a retail leader with a strong track record of execution at scale.
“Greg is a highly respected operator who knows how to run large-scale retail businesses, strengthen store execution and lead high-performing teams,” said Sargent, who will continue as chairman of the board.
“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 until 2019, where he oversaw a turnaround of the company’s largest division. He accelerated Walmart’s digital capabilities, introducing online ordering and pickup and driving retail media results. 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. Foran guided the airline through the pandemic, maintaining a focus on operational rigor and long-term resilience. Throughout his five years as CEO, he led complex union negotiations, managed multiple supply chain crises and invested in fleet upgrades.
Having led businesses across five countries, Foran brings a global perspective on innovation and a belief that culture is the foundation for delivering consistent top- and bottom-line growth.
“Kroger is one of the most dynamic companies in retail,” Foran said.
“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.”
Sargent will continue to serve as chairman of the board, ensuring a smooth leadership transition. Kroger will provide an additional update on the leadership transition during its March 5 earnings call.
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