The Kroger Co. is revamping divisional leadership, including the promotion of Joe Kelley, former president of its major King Soopers and City Markets operation, to senior vice president of Kroger retail divisions.
Meanwhile, Kendra Doyel will become president of Kroger’s Food 4 Less division, succeeding Bryan Kaltenbach. Kaltenbach is retiring after more than 50 years in the grocery industry. He joined Food 4 Less in 1994, holding several leadership positions, including store manager, director of store operations and director of sales and marketing before ascending to president in 2010.
Kelley, who joined Kroger in 2019, previously held executive positions at multiple retailers, including Price Chopper, Stop and Shop, Star Market and Shaw’s Supermarkets.
Albi joined Kroger in 1981 as a courtesy clerk and has held numerous leadership roles during her tenure, including grocery category manager, vice president of merchandising for the Michigan division and president of the QFC business.
Doyel joined Kroger in 1998 as a pharmacist in the Fry’s division. She has held leadership roles across multiple departments under the Fry’s, Ralph’s and Food 4 Less banners.
The executive moves come as Kroger pivots after its proposed merger with Albertsons Cos. failed in the face of government opposition. Kroger fourth quarter sales were $34.31 billion versus $37.06 billion in the year-before period, including $2.7 billion from a 53rd week in 2023 and $737 million from Kroger Specialty Pharmacy sales. With fuel input excluded as well as those from Kroger Specialty Pharmacy and the 53rd week in 2023, sales increased 2.6% year over year. Identical Sales without fuel advanced 2.4%. Operating profit was $912 million versus $1.19 billion in the year-earlier quarter. Company net earnings were $634 million, or 90 cents per diluted share, versus $736 million, or $1.01 per diluted share in the year-previous quarter. Adjusted for one-time events, Kroger earnings per share were $1.14 versus $1.34 in the year-prior period.
