Kroger’s New CEO Sets a Calm Pace for 2026 Sales

Kroger is stepping into a quieter year under its new chief, Greg Foran. Foran, who once led Walmart’s U. S. operations and steered 20 quarters of steady sales growth, took the reins in February after a board‑initiated removal of former boss Rodney McMullen. The company’s latest forecast shows comparable sales—excluding fuel—to rise only between 1 % and 2 %. Its midpoint sits below the market’s 2 % expectation, signalling a modest outlook. Adjusted earnings per share are projected at $5. 10 to $5. 30, slightly shy of analysts’ estimate of $5. 29. These numbers reflect a strategy that prioritises customer value while tightening margins, as the retailer explained in its guidance.Despite the lower projections, shares slipped 1. 3 % before trading opened. Last quarter’s sales hit $34. 73 billion, just short of the $35. 06 billion forecast by experts. Adjusted earnings came in at $1. 28 per share, outpacing the expected $1. 20. Digital sales jumped 20 % in Q4, driven by pickup and delivery through partners like DoorDash, Instacart, and Uber Eats. This growth comes after the company’s 2023 exit from Ocado fulfillment centers. The new leadership is now focused on sustaining this digital momentum while keeping costs in check. Kroger’s strategy underscores a shift from aggressive expansion to steady, value‑driven growth amid a fragile U. S. consumer market.