KROGER (KR) Company Report

Market size projected to grow from $1.28 trillion in 2025 to $1.36 trillion in 2026 (CAGR 5.7%), reaching $1.73 trillion by 2030 (CAGR 6.3%).
Growth drivers include rising chronic disease prevalence, increased OTC demand, retail chain expansion, digital pharmacy solutions, telemedicine, AI diagnostics, and organic supplements.
Key players include Walgreens Boots Alliance, CVS Health, The Kroger Company, Rite Aid, and Loblaw Companies.
Notable M&A: CVS Pharmacy’s October 2024 acquisition of Rite Aid assets to enhance community presence.
Regional outlook: North America was the largest region in 2025, followed by Western Europe.

8 days ago

Press Release

Kroger appoints Greg Foran as CEO

CEO Change

Executive Compensation

Guidance Update

Greg Foran named Chief Executive Officer effective February 10, 2026, succeeding interim CEO Ron Sargent, who remains as Board Chair.
Foran brings 40+ years of leadership in consumer retail, including CEO roles at Air New Zealand (2020–2025) and Walmart U.S. (2014–2020), where he delivered 20 consecutive quarters of comparable sales growth.
His compensation package features a $1.5 million base salary, 200% target annual cash incentive opportunity, $12 million long-term equity awards, and expatriate benefits.
Kroger reaffirms its fiscal 2025 guidance.

Feb 9, 2026, 9:06 PM

8-K

Kroger appoints Greg Foran as Chief Executive Officer

CEO Change

Board Change

Management Change

The Kroger Co. board has appointed Greg Foran as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, with Ron Sargent resuming his role as board chair after serving as interim CEO since March 2025.
Foran brings over 40 years of experience in large-scale consumer businesses, including six years leading Walmart U.S., where he achieved 20 consecutive quarters of positive comparable sales and managed over 4,600 stores and 1 million associates.
He most recently served as CEO of Air New Zealand, where he executed a comprehensive digital transformation and steered the airline through pandemic-related disruptions.
Kroger has reaffirmed its fiscal 2025 guidance following the leadership transition.

Feb 9, 2026, 12:30 PM

Press Release

Kroger approves additional $2.0 billion share repurchase authorization

Share Buyback

The Board approved an incremental $2.0 billion share repurchase authorization, augmenting the $7.5 billion authorization from December 2024, leaving $2.9 billion available as of December 23, 2025.
The authorizations have no expiration date and permit repurchases via open‐market or privately negotiated transactions, including accelerated share repurchases and block trades, subject to market and business conditions.
Since 2015, Kroger has repurchased approximately 35% of its outstanding shares, underscoring its consistent focus on returning capital to shareholders.
Kroger plans to continue generating strong free cash flow, maintain its investment‐grade credit rating, and sustain and grow its quarterly dividend over time.

Dec 23, 2025, 1:00 PM

Press Release

Kroger pays $350M to Ocado after closing three robotic CFCs

Legal Proceedings

Kroger will make a $350 million one-off payment to Ocado in January, after deciding to shut three Ocado-powered customer fulfilment centres and cancel plans for a new North Carolina site.
The closures are expected to reduce Ocado’s fee revenue by around $50 million in fiscal year 2026, though Ocado maintains its goal of achieving cash flow positivity by FY26.
The settlement will cut Ocado’s net debt from approximately £1.05 billion to £0.75 billion, strengthening its balance sheet.
Ocado remains fully integrated with Kroger across five live CFCs, where operational efficiency and same-day delivery availability have improved.

Dec 5, 2025, 10:23 AM

Bloomberg

Kroger reports Q3 2026 results

Earnings

Guidance Update

Share Buyback

Kroger delivered adjusted EPS of $1.05 and adjusted FIFO operating profit of $1.1 billion, each up 7% year-over-year in Q3 2026.
E-commerce sales grew 17%, driven by delivery, with profitability improving and the business expected to be profitable in 2026 after realizing approximately $400 million in incremental operating profit from fulfillment center closures.
Full-year guidance was narrowed for identical sales without fuel to 2.8%–3.0% and the lower end of adjusted EPS guidance was raised to $4.75–$4.80, now reflecting a 7% LIFO headwind.
Completed a $5 billion accelerated share repurchase under a $7.5 billion authorization and plans to repurchase the remaining $2.5 billion by fiscal year-end.
Announced closure of three underperforming automated fulfillment centers by January 2026 to optimize e-commerce profitability and shift to store-based and third-party delivery partnerships.

Dec 4, 2025, 3:00 PM

Transcript

Kroger reports Q3 2026 results

Earnings

Guidance Update

Share Buyback

Kroger delivered 2.6% identical sales growth without fuel and adjusted EPS of $1.05, each up 7% year-over-year.
E-commerce revenue grew 17%, with profitability improvements expected to yield $400 million incremental profit in 2026 following the closure of three underperforming automated fulfillment centers.
Completed $5 billion of its $7.5 billion share repurchase authorization; expects to repurchase the remaining $2.5 billion by fiscal-year-end.
Narrowed full-year guidance for identical sales without fuel growth to 2.8%–3.0% and raised the lower end of adjusted EPS guidance to $4.75–$4.80, factoring in a 7% LIFO headwind.
Board remains on track to appoint a new CEO in Q1 2026.

Dec 4, 2025, 3:00 PM

Transcript

Kroger reports Q3 2026 results

Earnings

Revenue of $33.859 billion, flat year-over-year, with ex-fuel same-store sales up 2.6%
GAAP operating loss of $1.541 billion, including a $2.6 billion impairment on the automated fulfillment network
GAAP EPS loss of $(2.02); adjusted EPS of $1.05
eCommerce sales grew 17%, driving adjusted FIFO operating profit of $1.089 billion

Dec 4, 2025, 3:00 PM

Presentation

Kroger reports Q3 2025 results and updates 2025 guidance

Earnings

Guidance Update

Kroger posted a $1.541 billion operating loss and $(2.02) EPS in Q3, reflecting a $2.6 billion impairment; adjusted FIFO operating profit was $1.089 billion with $1.05 adjusted EPS.
Identical sales (excluding fuel) increased 2.6%, and eCommerce sales rose 17% year-over-year.
Kroger completed its eCommerce strategic review and expects the business to be profitable in 2026.
Full-year 2025 identical sales guidance was narrowed to 2.8%–3.0%, and adjusted EPS guidance was raised to $4.75–$4.80; operating profit and free cash flow forecasts remained $4.8–$4.9 billion and $2.8–$3.0 billion, respectively.

Dec 4, 2025, 1:06 PM

8-K

Kroger reports Q3 2025 results and updates full-year guidance

Earnings

Guidance Update

Share Buyback

Kroger’s Q3 2025 identical sales without fuel rose 2.6%, total sales reached $33.9 billion, and eCommerce sales grew 17%.
GAAP Q3 operating loss was $(1.541 billion) with EPS of $(2.02), reflecting a $2.6 billion automated fulfillment impairment; Adjusted FIFO operating profit was $1.089 billion and Adjusted EPS $1.05.
Fiscal 2025 guidance was narrowed for identical sales without fuel to 2.8–3.0% and EPS raised to $4.75–4.80, while operating profit and free cash flow targets remain at $4.8–4.9 billion and $2.8–3.0 billion, respectively.
Kroger completed a $5 billion accelerated share repurchase and is executing open-market repurchases under the remaining $2.5 billion authorization, expected to finish by fiscal year end.