“Leading Air NZ was a great privilege. I’m incredibly proud of what our people achieved together through some of the most challenging years the airline – and the country – has faced.
“The resilience, professionalism and heart of the airline is unparalleled,” Foran said.
“It’s one I will approach with a strong Kiwi work ethic, and with the benefit of lessons learned in NZ – staying close to customers and frontline teams, doing what’s right and making values-based decisions with a long-term view.
“Those values reflect the best of NZ and I’ll proudly take them with me to the US.”
Kroger is an American retail company that operates supermarkets and multi-category stores throughout the United States. Photo / 123RF
The company has been searching for a permanent leader for almost a year after long-time chief executive Rodney McMullen left over an undisclosed ethics violation.
The company has since been led by its chairman, Ron Sargent, the former chief executive of office-supply retailer Staples.
Under Sargent, Kroger has been cutting costs across its operations, using the savings to try to lower prices and attract more cash-strapped shoppers to its stores.
The company has cut roughly 1000 corporate jobs, consolidated regional divisions and closed underperforming stores and e-commerce fulfilment facilities over the past year.
Kroger reported US$147 billion ($244b) in revenue in its 2024 fiscal year.
Kroger officials have said they wanted to look for a candidate outside the walls of the company’s downtown Cincinnati headquarters who could bring a fresh perspective to the grocer.
During Foran’s tenure at Walmart, he focused on improving the chain’s fresh-food selection and overall operation and appearance of stores.
He then returned home to lead Air NZ, guiding the carrier through the pandemic and numerous mechanical challenges with the airline’s fleet.
Foran announced his resignation from the airline in March last year, officially leaving in October.
Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business, retail and tourism.
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