Greg Foran: Former Air NZ CEO to Lead Kroger US Grocery Chain

Greg Foran, the former chief executive of Air New Zealand, has been appointed as the new CEO of Kroger, one of the largest supermarket chains in the United States. The announcement, made today, concludes a year-long search for a leader at the grocery giant, which operates over 2,700 stores and employed more than 400,000 people as of 2023.

Foran, 64, brings extensive experience in the retail sector, notably having served as the president and CEO of Walmart U.S. From 2014 to 2019. During his tenure at Walmart, he oversaw more than 4,600 stores and one million associates, achieving 20 consecutive quarters of positive comparable sales growth, according to Kroger. He likewise spearheaded initiatives to expand Walmart’s digital capabilities, including the introduction of online ordering and pickup services, and drove growth in retail media revenue.

Prior to his role at Walmart, Foran began his career at Woolworths in Hamilton, New Zealand, at the age of 17, working as a shelf-stacker and later managing a supermarket at 20. He progressed through the organization before joining Walmart in 2011.

Most recently, Foran led Air New Zealand from 2020 to 2025, navigating the airline through the significant disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. During his leadership, he oversaw digital transformation efforts aimed at enhancing the customer experience and improving business agility. He also managed complex union negotiations, addressed multiple supply chain challenges, and oversaw fleet upgrades.

Kroger interim CEO Ron Sargent praised Foran as a “highly respected operator who knows how to run large-scale retail businesses, strengthen store execution, and lead high-performing teams.” Sargent added, “His leadership style, focus on the customer, commitment to associates, and disciplined approach to execution are the perfect fit for Kroger.” Sargent assumed the interim CEO role in March 2025 following an investigation into the conduct of the previous CEO.

Kroger, considered one of the “big four” retailers in the U.S. Alongside Walmart, Costco, and Amazon, highlighted Foran’s track record of driving digital innovation and operational resilience as key factors in his appointment. The company noted his success in leading Air New Zealand through a period of unprecedented challenges, maintaining a focus on long-term sustainability.