---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001104659-26-104763"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "KR"
cik: "0000056873"
company_name: "KROGER CO"
filed_at: "2026-09-02T20:48:38+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-09-02T20:49:21.329655+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Kroger names ex-Walmart EVP Mark Ibbotson as Chief Store Operations Officer

## Summary
- Mark Ibbotson, 63, becomes EVP and Chief Store Operations Officer effective Sept 14, 2026; prior EVP Central Ops & Realty at Walmart U.S. and COO at Asda.
- Compensation: $1M base salary, annual incentive target of 110% of base (pro-rated 2026), and $5M total target LTI value starting March 2027.
- One-time December 2026 grants: $1.25M restricted shares vesting over 3 years, $1.25M performance units (2026-2028), and $1M restricted shares vesting over 2 years.
- Ibbotson served as McKinsey & Company Senior Advisor for last 4 years; no family relationships or Item 404(a) reportable transactions.
- CEO Greg Foran cites Ibbotson's scale experience in operations and omnichannel retail to build America's Best Grocer.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001104659-26-104763
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: KR
- cik: 0000056873
- company_name: KROGER CO
- filed_at: 2026-09-02T20:48:38+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/56873/000110465926104763/0001104659-26-104763-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/56873/000110465926104763/tm2624577d1_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-104763
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-104763.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-104763.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Mark Ibbotson was appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Store Operations Officer at KROGER CO.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Executive Vice President and Chief Store Operations Officer
  source text: appointed Mark Ibbotson, 63, as Executive Vice President and Chief Store Operations Officer, effective as of September 14, 2026.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/56873/000110465926104763/0001104659-26-104763-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.