Kroger Holds Steady on 2026 Outlook Amid First Quarter Growth

CEO Greg Foran, who took the helm with a mandate to sharpen the company’s competitive edge, characterized the quarter as a productive step toward the retailer's broader goal of becoming the premier grocer in the United States. While identical sales without fuel saw a modest 1.0% increase, the company’s internal metrics suggest momentum in its digital and marketing ventures, with Kroger Precision Marketing profit rising by more than 20%.

Financial performance faced headwinds from higher transportation costs and planned price investments, which contributed to a 9 basis point dip in the FIFO gross margin rate. Operating expenses also saw upward pressure from a deliberate strategy to increase associate wages and hours, an investment management considers essential for improving the customer experience. Despite these costs, the company maintained its full-year 2026 guidance, projecting identical sales growth between 1.0% and 2.0% and an adjusted EPS range of $5.10 to $5.30.