Retailer Spotlight: Kroger

Barney Kroger, the founder of Kroger, had a motto: “Be particular. Never sell anything you would not want yourself.” With 2,800 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia, the company generates annual sales of more than $132.5 billion and ranks as one of the world’s largest grocery retailers. One might say that being particular has worked out well for the grocery giant. 

Headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, Kroger prides itself on food freshness, low prices and innovation. In its recent annual report, Kroger outlined expansion plans to increase new store builds by 30 percent in 2026 across a range of formats and sizes. It also plans to complete more renovations than in previous years. The company will continue to focus on e-commerce, extending its reach through third-party delivery. 

Kroger acquired Giant Eagle in July 2026 to add to its vast family of stores that includes Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foods Co., Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Jay C Food Store, King Soopers, Kroger, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Pay-Less Super Markets, Pick’n Save, QFC, Ralphs, Ruler and Smith’s Food and Drug.

2025 was a strong year for the company. The e-commerce business crossed $16 billion in sales. The company recently reported its first-quarter 2026 results: operating profit of $1.41 billion; earnings per share of $1.46; adjusted FIFO operating profit of $1,544 million; adjusted EPS of $1.58; and adjusted e-commerce sales growth of 19 percent.

History

In 1883, Barney Kroger invested his life savings of $372 to open a single grocery store in downtown Cincinnati. 

In 1901, when other grocers bought bread from local bakers, Barney established in-store bakeries to cut costs and provide fresher bread to customers. He then integrated the meat department into his stores. 

Known for his innovative thinking, Barney saw the potential in private-label products. His first attempt was his own mother’s sauerkraut. Today, Kroger’s private brands include more than 13,000 products. The company offers several tiers of private-label brands: Private Selection, which features premium, high-quality ingredients; Simple Truth, a natural and organic brand; Kroger Brand, which matches national brands at a lower price point; and a budget-friendly option called Smart Way. 

In 1977, the Public Responsibilities Committee of Kroger’s board of directors was formed, and there is still a board today that provides feedback and oversight of the company’s strategy and goals.

Mergers and acquisitions have been a large part of Kroger’s history and growth. In 1983, Kroger acquired Dillon Companies in Kansas and became a coast-to-coast operator of food, drug and convenience stores. This merger also brought King Soopers, Fry’s, City Market and Gerbes into the Kroger family.

In 1999, Kroger acquired Fred Meyer (owner of Smith’s, Ralphs, Food 4 Less and QFC). That year, it also acquired Jay C, Owens Market and Pay-Less. To expand the company’s reach through the Mid-Atlantic states and the northern Midwest, Kroger acquired Baker’s in 2001, Harris Teeter in 2014 and Roundy’s, Pick ‘n Save, Metro Markets and Mariano’s in 2015. 

In 2014, Kroger acquired Vitacost.com, a large e-commerce company, to accelerate ship-to-home orders and expand reach into all 50 states and internationally. In 2018, Kroger acquired Home Chef, the country’s largest private meal kit company. A merger attempt between Kroger and Albertsons faced legal and regulatory hurdles and ended in 2024. 

Leadership

Greg Foran became Chief Executive Officer in February 2026. He is the first external CEO for the company. He is also a member of the Kroger Board. Previously, Foran helped lead Air New Zealand Limited and Walmart.

Ronald L. Sargent, Chairman, shared this note in his report to shareholders: “The Board of Directors knew selecting the first external CEO would be a defining decision in Kroger’s history, and we were deliberate in the choice. I am confident we got it right. Before he started, we knew Greg Foran was the real deal—and I’ve seen it continue to be true in the four months since his first day. Immediately, he began traveling to stores, visiting distribution centers and walking manufacturing facilities. He talked with associates and asked the difficult questions necessary to form clear views about what we need to accomplish together. Greg is direct about our opportunities and honest about the path forward. This is what Kroger needs today and while writing our next chapter.”

David Kennerley became the Executive VP and Chief Financial Officer in 2025. Prior to joining Kroger, he held various leadership roles at PepsiCo.

Mary Ellen Adcock was selected as Executive VP and Chief Merchant and Marketing Officer in 2025. A testament to growing employees from within, Adcock has worked in various roles at Kroger since 1999.

In July 2026, Emilee De Martino was announced as the next Executive VP and Chief People Officer. De Martino succeeds Tim Massa, who announced he will be retiring Sept. 18. 

“Kroger is one of the most respected companies in America, with a long-standing commitment to its associates and the communities it serves,” said De Martino. “I am honored to join an organization where people are central to the strategy and excited to work with associates across the business to continue building Kroger as an employer of choice.”

Community 

Kroger believes in serving its communities. Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste impact plan was introduced in 2017. Since then, the company has directed 3.9 billion meals to its communities and $1.8 billion in charitable giving to end hunger. The company has rescued 935 million pounds of surplus food. In the past year, associates and customers came together at Kroger Community Days to pack more than three million meals with US Hunger.

Recent News

Last month, Kroger acquired Giant Eagle, a family-owned food and pharmacy retailer with approximately $9 billion in annual sales and 197 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies across northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana. 

“Giant Eagle is a well-run, high-quality regional grocer with a strong reputation for fresh products, pharmacy, private label and customer loyalty,” said Greg Foran, CEO at Kroger. “We evaluated the opportunity carefully, and the strategic fit is clear. Giant Eagle expands our reach into attractive adjacent markets, allowing us to do what we do best: Run outstanding stores, deliver fresh foods and convenient meal solutions at affordable prices, and take care of our customers and associates every day.”

In June, to combat the tough economy, the company announced a change in its rewards program to add more flexibility. “We’re excited to help customers stretch their budgets and give more choices in how they use the rewards they earn shopping with us,” said Megan Shaffer, Group Vice President of Customer Growth and Strategy at Kroger. “Whether they’re saving up to $35 on their next fill-up or taking dollars off their grocery bill, customers can now choose the savings that matter most to them.”

In May, Kroger was included in the 2026 Axios Harris Poll 100, an annual ranking that assesses the reputations of the most visible US companies based on attributes such as trust, culture and ethics.

“This recognition belongs to our associates,” Foran said. “Every day, more than 400,000 of them help families put fresh, affordable food on the table. It is their care and commitment that builds trust with our customers and communities.”