• by Sarah Mahoney  @mahoney_sarah, November 25, 2024

Kroger announced that Stuart Aitken, senior vice president, chief merchandising and marketing officer, is leaving the company. Mary Ellen Adcock, senior vice president of operations and a 25-year Kroger veteran, becomes the new chief merchandising and marketing officer.

Kroger, based in Cincinnati, says Aitken is leaving to pursue another opportunity.

Aitkin joined Kroger as CMO in 2020, from chief executive officer of 84.51°, Kroger’s insights and media division.

The change comes amid continued uncertainty for the grocery giant, with no verdict yet on its $24.6 billion bid for Albertson’s.

The merger saga has dragged on since the deal was first announced in 2022. In three trials, the Federal Trade Commission has argued that the combined company would create a monopoly, incentivizing Kroger to raise prices in hundreds of markets. Kroger and Albertson’s have spun off hundreds of stores to address antitrust concerns. And lawyers for the supermarket companies have maintained that their combined operations would not constitute a monopoly, with continued competition from the likes of Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Trader Joe’s.

While there is no timeline for the rulings on whether the merger can proceed, observers are assessing the odds in a rapidly changing political landscape. The FTC’s suit against the merger came from Lina Kahn, FTC chair appointed by President Joe Biden.

CNN and others speculate that Kahn, a crusader against megamergers, will be replaced by President-elect Donald Trump with a more deal-friendly chair.

Last week, Kroger introduced a new holiday ad campaign starring the Krojis, the company’s signature animated characters. Created by adam&eveDDB New York and set to America’s “Lonely People,” the spots showcase the power of sharing food, with the kids reaching out to a lonely elderly neighbor who’s lost her holiday spirit.

"At Kroger, we understand how food can transcend differences, cure loneliness and speak from our hearts in a way that words cannot," said Aitken in the release announcing the new work. "What we love about this film is how it so acutely illustrates the power of food to bring people together and express kindness. We hope this message—share your food, share your heart—inspires families, friends and neighbors to pull up an extra seat at their table this holiday season and revel in the simple joy of being together."