Kroger taps Walmart veteran to lead e-commerce
Kroger appoints a Walmart veteran to boost e-commerce growth, strengthening its digital sales strategy with expert leadership.
Kroger has appointed Nate Faust as executive vice president and chief e-commerce officer, a key position as the grocery chain works to grow its digital operations.
Faust begins September 1 and arrives after co-founding Jet.com and leading Walmart’s e-commerce supply chain. His hiring continues Kroger’s recent trend of recruiting outside executives, including CEO Greg Foran, who previously held a top role at Walmart and took over in February.
E-commerce as a growth engine
Digital sales have been one of the few strong areas for Kroger this year. While overall store sales growth has slowed for four consecutive quarters due to lower pharmacy revenue and egg prices, online sales rose 19% in the latest quarter. The company also reported its e-commerce division became profitable during that period.
Foran told investors in June that digital operations drive Kroger’s high-margin retail media business. Most grocery growth now happens online, and the company must lead in that space to keep up with customer habits.
The transition hasn’t been smooth. Kroger initially invested in automated fulfillment centers through a partnership with British tech firm Ocado but later reduced those plans. Instead, it shifted focus to store-based fulfillment and its Boost membership program, which provides free delivery and fuel discounts.
Faust’s hiring indicates Kroger remains committed to digital expansion, though it is refining its strategy. His experience building e-commerce platforms at Jet.com and Walmart supports Kroger’s goal of faster, more reliable online shopping that meets customer expectations.
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In a statement, Foran highlighted Faust’s history of setting new standards for e-commerce through speed, value, and accuracy. Kroger aims to match that level as it expands its digital business.
A familiar playbook
Faust’s arrival follows several leadership changes since Foran became CEO. Last month, Kroger named a new chief people officer, and in March, it promoted Milen Mahadevan from its 84.51° analytics unit to chief data and AI officer. Tim Massa, the longtime chief associate experience officer, will retire on September 18.
The changes reflect a broader retail trend: grocers working to close the gap in e-commerce, where Amazon and Walmart have long dominated. Kroger’s approach resembles Walmart’s strategy of combining physical stores with digital convenience while using data to personalize offers and improve logistics.
Faust and Foran’s shared background at Walmart could help Kroger’s transition. Both worked there while Walmart expanded its online grocery pickup and delivery services, a model Kroger later adopted. Whether that experience will accelerate Kroger’s growth is uncertain, but the company is placing a major bet on it.
For now, execution remains the priority. Kroger’s e-commerce business is profitable, but Foran has noted the need for steadier performance. With Faust joining, the company is emphasizing not just growth but also improving the fundamentals.
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