Walmart Vet Joins Kroger

Kroger has appointed Mark Ibbotson as its executive vice president and chief store operations officer, effective September 14. Ibbotson, a former top executive at Walmart, brings decades of tech and operations experience to the role, including leading the rollout of Walmart's e-commerce platform.

Ibbotson's hire comes as Kroger looks to sharpen its store operations and value proposition under new CEO Greg Foran. Foran and Ibbotson both held high-level positions at Walmart at the same time, with Foran serving as president and CEO of Walmart U.S. from 2014 to 2019, and Ibbotson joining the retailer in 2015 as senior vice president of innovation.

Ibbotson's experience at Walmart includes overseeing store operations, real estate, asset protection, and central aspects of its digital processes. He also served as a senior advisor for consulting firm McKinsey & Company. Prior to joining Walmart, Ibbotson worked for U.K. grocery chain Asda, including as chief operating officer, where he was responsible for hundreds of stores and expanded e-commerce capabilities.

Ibbotson will be Kroger's first chief store operations officer since 2021. According to Greg Foran, Ibbotson has built a reputation as an operations specialist and innovator in omnichannel retail.

## Why it matters The appointment of Mark Ibbotson as chief store operations officer is significant for Kroger as it looks to improve its store operations and value proposition. With Ibbotson's experience in tech and operations, Kroger aims to sharpen its competitive edge in the retail market. The move also highlights the growing trend of retail companies hiring experienced executives from other major retailers to drive innovation and growth.