Will the cyclospora outbreak and a sluggish U.S. economy snarl new Kroger CEO Greg Foran’s plans to turn the supermarket giant around?
TheCincinnati-based grocer is slated to reveal its second-quarter results Sept. 11. Wall Street analysts expect Kroger to post a $ 646 million profit before one-time costs on sales of $34.7 billion, according to Zacks Investment Research of Chicago.
Tapped as the new CEO on Feb. 9, Foran pledged to reboot sales growth at Kroger by cutting costs and prices to win back customers. Foran is the first outsider to lead Kroger and was hired after the company conducted an 11-month CEO search. Before he joined Kroger, Foran, 65, was the head of Walmart's U.S. stores from 2014 to 2019.
But a key sales metric, identical store
sales growth excluding fuel, slowed in the first quarter to 1%, down from 2.4% from the previous quarterand 2.9% during 2025.
Outside events in 2026 aren’t making it easy: On Feb. 28, President Donald Trump began a war with Iran that has led to higher gas prices and inflation, pinching already-strapped consumers. In June, federal officials noted a sharp rise in cyclosporiasis cases with the outbreak of severe diarrhea tied to iceberg lettuce. In July, new federal data showed the U.S. economy slowed down to a 1.5% annual growth rate.
Kroger has made moves
Companies looking to grow sometimes use acquisitions to expand their business.
On July 1, Kroger announced it had struck a $1.65 billion deal to take over Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle, which will add about 200 stores and $9 billion in annual sales (an increase of about 6%). The deal is expected to expand Kroger into eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania, minus the divestiture of some Giant Eagle stores (likely in the Columbus region) to mollify antitrust concerns by regulators.
Besides the Giant Eagle deal, Foran has added three key new executives after the departure of some of the grocer’s leadership in spring. Two are former colleagues from Walmart:
- Mark Ibbotson was namedchief store operations officerand executive vice president, starting Sept. 14.
- Nate Faust was also named Kroger’s chief eCommerce officer, starting Sept. 1.
- In July, Kroger tapped former McDonald’s executive, Emilee De Martino, as its new chief people officer.
The new executives come on board after Kroger saw thedeparture of four top executives, notably two heads of retail divisions that were potential future CEOs.
Kroger is a major retailer with $148 billion in 2025 sales
With $147.6 billion in annual sales, Kroger operates nearly 2,700 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia, including 77 in Greater Cincinnati. The company employs 403,000 workers, including nearly 20,000 in the Greater Cincinnati region.
The retailer operates stores under the Kroger banner name as well as Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Harris Teeter, Pick ‘n Save, Dillons, King Soopers, Mariano’s, Fry’s, QFC and others.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: New Kroger CEO adds top exec team, aims for turnaround
