Cincinnati Welcomes New Leadership at Kroger as Stuart Aitken Steps Down

Cincinnati Welcomes New Leadership at Kroger as Stuart Aitken Steps Down

Today, in a significant development for the local grocery giant, Kroger Co. announced that Stuart Aitken will be stepping down from his position as senior vice president, chief merchandising and marketing officer. This transition is set to take place at the end of the year, as Aitken will remain with the company until December 31, 2024. While it’s always a bit bittersweet to say goodbye to a familiar face, the company is confident in the leadership of Mary Ellen Adcock, who will be taking over the reins in the merchandising and marketing department.

A Smooth Transition

The announcement comes directly from Kroger’s chairman and CEO, Rodney McMullen, who praised Aitken for his contributions to reshaping the Kroger brand and for bringing innovative products to its store shelves. McMullen said, “On behalf of the Kroger Board and management team, I want to thank Stuart for his work to evolve Kroger’s brand while bringing exciting, innovative products to our shelves.” It’s evident that Aitken’s hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed, and his efforts in overseeing the integration of dunnhumby as well as establishing the data analytics arm 84.51º have undoubtedly made an impact on the company.

Meet Mary Ellen Adcock

Stepping into Aitken’s shoes is the highly respected Mary Ellen Adcock, who has been with Kroger for an impressive 25 years! Adcock has served as the senior vice president of operations since 2019. In this role, she has managed strategic operations across more than 2,700 Kroger stores in 35 states, directly impacting over 416,000 associates and serving around 11 million customers daily. That’s a lot of people counting on her expertise!

Her impressive track record includes delivering over $1 billion in annual operations savings for six consecutive years. Adcock has focused on making efficiencies that not only lower prices for customers but also increase wages for associates. Her commitment to improving both the customer and associate experience has been remarkable. She is also the architect behind Kroger’s initiative, Full, Fresh & Friendly: Every Customer Every Time, which aims to provide excellent service on every visit.

A Commitment to Community

Beyond the walls of Kroger, Adcock has been active in community efforts, notably operationalizing the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative, which aims to end hunger in local communities while eliminating waste as a company. Under her leadership, Kroger achieved 100% store participation in their surplus food rescue program — a milestone that highlights their promise to make a positive difference.

Looking Ahead

Mary Ellen Adcock’s promotions throughout her time at Kroger have shown her dedication and adaptability within the company, ranging from roles in manufacturing to leading operations. It’s clear she’s ready for this next step, and her leadership will direct Kroger into a new era of growth and innovation.

As Kroger navigates this leadership change, the company continues to thrive, serving millions and remaining dedicated to its purpose of feeding the human spirit. They strive to create communities that embody the principles of #ZeroHungerZeroWaste. Stay tuned for more updates on how Kroger develops under the new leadership!