Dive Summary:

• Kroger on Friday announced that CEO David Dillon will end his decade there in its top slot at the end of the year.
• Dillon will stay on as chairman after he departs the CEO role, which will be filled by W. Rodney McMullen, Kroger's current president and chief operating officer.
• The company has not yet said who will replace McMullen as president or COO.

Dive Insight:

This leadership change comes in a year of significant expansion for Kroger, which has been on the hunt for acquisition opportunities, particularly in the mid-Atlantic states. The company is currently second only to Walmart stores in U.S. food and beverage sales among retailers. In the meantime, it is looking to capitalize on its recent Harris Teeter purchase while it stirs up speculation about additional buys.