The appointment would end a nearly year-long search for a permanent successor after longtime CEO Rodney McMullen stepped down in 2025 following an undisclosed ethics violation
US grocery major Kroger is set to name Greg Foran, a former Walmart executive and most recently chief executive of Air New Zealand, as its next chief executive officer, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter.
An official announcement could come as early as Monday, the report said.
The appointment would end a nearly year-long search for a permanent successor after longtime CEO Rodney McMullen stepped down in 2025 following an undisclosed ethics violation. Since then, Kroger has been led by chairman Ron Sargent, the former head of office-supply retailer Staples.
Kroger, the second-largest grocer in the United States by sales after Walmart, had indicated it wanted an external candidate who could bring a fresh perspective to its Cincinnati-based operations, the report said.
Foran is best known for leading Walmart’s US operations between 2014 and 2019, a period during which he oversaw a significant operational turnaround at the world’s largest retailer.
After leaving Walmart, the New Zealand native took over as CEO of Air New Zealand. He led the airline through the severe disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic before stepping down in October 2025.
Kroger’s cost cuts and competitive pressures
Foran will inherit a company in the midst of a cost reset.
Under interim chief Ron Sargent, Kroger has cut roughly 1,000 corporate roles, consolidated regional divisions and shut underperforming stores and e-commerce fulfilment centres. The savings have been channelled toward price investments aimed at retaining value-conscious shoppers.
Despite the operational turbulence, Kroger’s shares have edged higher over the past 12 months, reflecting investor expectations of stabilising margins and improved execution.
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