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The Kroger Co. is preparing to appoint former Walmart U.S. executive and current Air New Zealand chief Greg Foran as its next chief executive officer, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal published on Wednesday. The Cincinnati-based grocery giant is reportedly finalizing the leadership transition at a critical juncture as it seeks to navigate federal antitrust challenges regarding its proposed $24.6 billion merger with Albertsons. Foran is expected to succeed long-time CEO Rodney McMullen, who has led the company since 2014 and steered the retailer through the complexities of the pandemic and the ongoing consolidation of the American supermarket industry. Foran, a retail industry veteran with a reputation for operational excellence, previously served as the president and CEO of Walmart U.S. from 2014 to 2019, where he was credited with turning around the performance of the company’s domestic stores by focusing on cleanliness, inventory management, and pricing strategies. His potential arrival at Kroger signals a strategic move to bring in a leader with deep experience in large-scale grocery operations and competitive pricing. Sources familiar with the matter suggest that the board sees Foran as the ideal candidate to maintain Kroger's market share against rising competition from discounters like Aldi and the e-commerce dominance of Amazon. The timing of the leadership change is particularly significant as Kroger remains embroiled in a high-stakes legal battle with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The agency has sued to block the Kroger-Albertsons merger, arguing that the deal would eliminate competition, lead to higher grocery prices for consumers, and reduce bargaining power for unionized workers. If the appointment is confirmed, Foran will be tasked with inheriting this regulatory headache while simultaneously integrating the two massive retail chains if the court eventually clears the path for the acquisition. While Kroger has not yet officially confirmed the appointment, the market response reflects the high stakes of the decision. Analysts believe that Foran’s familiarity with the American retail landscape, combined with his recent experience leading a major international airline through a global crisis, provides him with a unique perspective on logistics and consumer behavior. McMullen’s departure would mark the end of an era for Kroger, during which the company aggressively expanded its digital footprint and private-label brands to compete in an increasingly fragmented food retail market.