Cincinnati-based supermarket giant Kroger will name former Walmart executive Greg Foran, 64, as its next CEO, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.
Foran, 64, who ran Walmart’s U.S. store operations for five years until 2019, will be the first-ever outsider to lead the retailer.
He will take the helm from interim CEO Ron Sargent, 70, a Kroger board member and former Staples CEO, who has led the grocer since the resignation of Rodney McMullen in March 2025. McMullen left the company abruptly following an internal ethics investigation.
Kroger officials declined to comment on the Feb. 8 report, which cited “people familiar with the matter.” The paper said Kroger may announce the decision as early as Feb. 9.
New boss from New Zealand
Since leaving Walmart, New Zealand-born Foran was the CEO of Air New Zealand from February 2020 to October 2025.
Joining Air New Zealand just as the COVID-19 pandemic loomed, Foran tackled a series of crises, from persistent shortages of engine components to the grounding of up to 11 aircraft.
While he was the president and CEO of Walmart’s U.S. operations, Foran was credited with turning around the business by focusing on improving existing stores. The unit reported 20 quarters of comparable sales growth under his leadership.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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