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Kroger’s New CEO Sets a Calm Pace for 2026 Sales
USA, CincinnatiThursday, March 5, 2026
New Leadership and Steady Outlook
- CEO Change: Greg Foran, former Walmart U.S. operations head, took over in February after Rodney McMullen was ousted by the board.
- Sales Forecast: Comparable sales (fuel‑excluded) are projected to rise 1 %–2 %, below the market’s 2 % expectation.
- Earnings Forecast: Adjusted EPS is expected at $5.10–$5.30, slightly below analysts’ $5.29 estimate.
- Share Price: Shares fell 1.3 % pre‑market on the weaker outlook.
Q4 Performance Highlights
| Metric | Q4 2023 | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Total Sales | $34.73 bn | $35.06 bn |
| Adjusted EPS | $1.28 | $1.20 |
- Digital Growth: Digital sales surged 20 % in Q4, propelled by pickup and delivery partners such as DoorDash, Instacart, and Uber Eats.
- Operational Shift: Following the 2023 exit from Ocado fulfillment centers, Kroger is concentrating on sustaining digital momentum while tightening costs.
Strategic Focus
Kroger’s new leadership is pivoting from aggressive expansion to steady, value‑driven growth. The strategy emphasizes customer value and margin tightening amid a fragile U.S. consumer market, aiming for sustainable long‑term performance rather than rapid growth.
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