KR 8-K
Kroger Co (KR)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On August 31, 2026, The Kroger Co. (“Kroger” or the “Company”) appointed Mark Ibbotson, 63, as Executive Vice President and Chief Store Operations Officer, effective as of September 14, 2026.
Since 2020, Mr. Ibbotson has been a strategic advisor to retail and technology companies and has served as a Senior Advisor for McKinsey & Company for the last four years. Prior thereto, he previously served in various roles at Wal-Mart U.S. and its former UK subsidiary Asda since 2004, including as Executive Vice President of Central Operations and Realty, and Senior Vice President of Innovation.
In his role as Executive Vice President and Chief Store Operations Officer of Kroger, Mr. Ibbotson: (i) will receive an annual base salary of $1,000,000; (ii) is eligible for an annual incentive bonus target equal to 110% of his base salary (pro-rated for 2026); (iii) will receive a one time grant of $1.25 million in restricted shares, vesting ratably over 3 years, to be awarded in December 2026; (iv) will receive a grant of $1.25 million in performance unit equity awards under the 2026-2028 long-term incentive plan, to be awarded in December 2026; (v) will receive a one-time grant of $1 million in restricted shares that will vest ratably over two years, to be awarded in December 2026; and (vi) is eligible for an annual long-term equity grant in March 2027, which will vest over 3 years, and for performance unit equity awards pursuant to Kroger’s Long-Term Incentive Plan, together with a current total target value of $5 million. Mr. Ibbotson will participate in the Company’s standard executive relocation program, including temporary housing for 90 days.
There are no family relationships, or arrangements or understandings between Mr. Ibbotson and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Store Operations Officer. Mr. Ibbotson has not engaged in any transaction with the Company during the last fiscal year, and he does not propose to engage in any transaction, that would be reportable under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
| Item 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
On September 2, 2026, Kroger issued a press release regarding the matters described in Item 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
The information in this Item 7.01 and the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 are furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to liabilities under that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of Kroger under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings.
| Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
| 99.1 | Press Release, dated September 2, 2026 |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| THE KROGER CO. | ||
| By: | /s/George H. Vincent | |
| Name: | George H. Vincent | |
| Title: | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | |
Date: September 2, 2026
Exhibit 99.1
Kroger names Mark Ibbotson Executive Vice President and Chief Store Operations Officer
CINCINNATI (September 2, 2026) – The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) today announced that Mark Ibbotson will join the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Store Operations Officer, effective September 14.
Ibbotson brings decades of experience leading large-scale retail operations through periods of significant transformation. Through senior leadership roles at Walmart and its former U.K. subsidiary Asda, Ibbotson built a reputation as an operations specialist and innovator in omnichannel retail.
“Mark has done this work at scale, and he has done it exceptionally well,” said Greg Foran, CEO of Kroger. “He knows what it takes to simplify complex operations, bring out the best in frontline teams, and build the digital and physical capabilities that win with customers. That is what we need as we accelerate our momentum and build America’s Best Grocer.”
Ibbotson began his retail career in the United Kingdom, including roles at Sainsbury’s before joining Asda in 2004. There, he rose through a series of operational and leadership positions, including Loss Prevention Director, Productivity Director and Retail Director, before becoming Chief Operating Officer. In that role, Ibbotson oversaw the performance of hundreds of stores, drove meaningful improvements in efficiency and cost, and expanded the company’s eCommerce capabilities and introduced pick up and drive through.
In 2015, Ibbotson joined Walmart U.S. as Senior Vice President of Innovation, with a mandate to simplify store operations and introduce new technologies to improve the customer experience and associate productivity. His responsibilities expanded significantly over time, and he became Executive Vice President of Central Operations and Realty. This broad portfolio encompassed store operations, real estate, asset protection and key elements of Walmart’s digital transformation, including the architecture and launch of the grocery eCommerce business.
During his tenure, Ibbotson helped lead the rollout of the company’s eCommerce platform, including pickup and delivery services that became a cornerstone of Walmart’s omnichannel strategy. He also supported the development of Walmart Academies for associate training.
Since leaving Walmart in 2020, Ibbotson has worked as a strategic advisor to retail and technology companies and has served as a Senior Advisor for McKinsey & Company for the last four years.
“Kroger has the assets, the customer relationships and the associates to be an outstanding grocer,” said Ibbotson. “The team is building on a foundation of fresh, value and digital growth that is truly exciting. I am looking forward to contributing to that work and the talented teams I will have the privilege of working alongside.”
About Kroger
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit™. We are, across our family of companies more than 400,000 associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through an eCommerce experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
Contacts: Media: Erin Rolfes (513) 762-1080
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