Kroger Co. is one of the largest supermarket chains in the United States, operating nearly 2,700 stores across 35 states and Washington, D.C. and serving millions of customers weekly. In 2025, the company created a new dedicated eCommerce business unit to accelerate online growth. In 2026 the grocery chain announced plans to use Google Cloud’s generative AI tools to enhance its customer experience with smart shopping assistants.
However, back in 2024, Kroger suffered a significant blow when its merger with Albertsons fell through when regulators denied the deal due to competition concerns. The failed merger forced both grocery giants to refocus on individual growth strategies in an increasingly competitive market.
Kroger Faces Setback as Merger with Albertsons Falls Through
In October 2022, Kroger and Albertsons announced plans for a $24.6 billion merger that would have created one of the largest grocery chains in the United States. The deal aimed to combine their operations to compete more effectively with Walmart, Amazon, and other discount grocers.
However, according to an AP report, the merger faced significant regulatory scrutiny. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and several state regulators argued that the deal would reduce competition in overlapping markets and could lead to higher prices for consumers. After extensive legal battles, the courts sided with regulators, blocking the merger.
In the termination announcement, Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran said the company ended the deal with Kroger after court rulings blocked the merger and expressed disappointment with the outcome.
The merger’s collapse was a major strategic setback but also cleared the way for Kroger to reassess its growth and competitive strategy in a rapidly changing grocery market.
Kroger Taps Former Walmart Executive Greg Foran to Lead as CEO
Following the merger’s failure, Kroger named Greg Foran, a former Walmart executive, as its new Chief Executive Officer on February 9, 2026. He led Walmart U.S. for six years, growing online ordering, pickup services, and digital operations.
At Walmart, Foran delivered positive comparable sales growth for 20 straight quarters while managing more than 4,600 stores and one million associates.
Before Walmart, Foran served as CEO of Air New Zealand, where he led a company-wide digital transformation. He guided the airline through pandemic disruptions, union negotiations, supply chain challenges, and fleet upgrades.
Ron Sargent, Chairman of Kroger’s Board of Directors, shared an official announcement and stated that Greg Foran is a respected leader with strong experience running large retail businesses and improving store operations.
He added, “The Board is confident Greg is the right leader to guide Kroger into its next chapter.”
Excited for his new role at Kroger, Foran said, “At this moment in Kroger’s journey, I can honestly say this is the best job on the planet.”
Sargent will remain chairman of the board to support a smooth transition. The company will share more details during its March 5 earnings call.
Looking Ahead: Kroger’s Next Moves
Under Greg Foran, Kroger is positioning itself to strengthen in-store operations, expand private-label brands, and continue investing in digital and delivery services. Foran’s experience in large-scale retail operations and digital transformation makes him well-suited to compete in an increasingly competitive grocery landscape.
In the company’s leadership announcement, Foran outlined his plans for the role and mentioned, “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.”
Kroger’s new leadership marks a fresh chapter, focusing on rebuilding momentum and growing in a competitive grocery market.
