Kroger’s Next CEO Inherits an AI System That Has to Work

Kroger is preparing to name Greg Foran, a former senior Walmart executive and the current chief executive of Air New Zealand, as its next CEO, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal. The appointment would follow a nearly year-long external search after longtime CEO Rodney McMullen resigned amid a board investigation into personal conduct unrelated to business operations.

The leadership change comes during a period of significant restructuring. Under interim CEO Ron Sargent, Kroger has cut roughly 1,000 corporate roles, announced plans to close about 60 underperforming stores, consolidated divisions, and reviewed non-core assets. These moves followed the collapse of Kroger’s proposed acquisition of Albertsons, which regulators blocked on antitrust grounds in 2024.

At the same time, Kroger has continued to expand its use of artificial intelligence across pricing, personalization, fulfillment, and operations. Management has framed AI as central to lowering costs, improving customer experience, and funding price investments during a period of inflation and intensified competition.

Kroger Has Already Put AI Into Production

Kroger’s AI efforts are anchored in its data and analytics subsidiary, 84.51°, which manages insights drawn from more than 150 million customer touchpoints. The unit powers roughly 1.9 billion personalized coupons annually and underpins personalized promotions across email, digital carts, and in-store offers.