Kroger Names New eCommerce Chief Ahead of Second-Quarter Report

Kroger has appointed Nate Faust as Executive Vice President and Chief eCommerce Officer, elevating digital operations as the grocer works to reset its strategy following the collapse of its proposed merger with Albertsons. The company also scheduled its second-quarter conference call with investors, putting a near-term checkpoint on the plan.

The appointment addresses one of the clearer pressure points in the business. Kroger has been contending with softer store foot traffic while trying to convert more of its customer base to digital ordering and pickup, a channel where scale economics have proven difficult across the grocery sector.

The underlying financials have held up. First-quarter total sales reached $46.1 billion, up 2.2% year over year, with operating profit of $1.4 billion, up 6.4%. Shares closed at $56.07 on Monday, down about 1.1% on the session, as the broader market pulled back ahead of a heavy week of retail earnings.