Rodney McMullen, the long-time chairman and CEO of Kroger, has stepped down in a dramatic turn of events following an internal investigation into his personal conduct. The announcement sent shockwaves through the corporate world, as McMullen, who has been at the helm of the supermarket giant for over a decade, now faces scrutiny over his leadership decisions and the controversies surrounding Kroger's failed merger and stock buyback scheme.
Kroger confirmed on Monday that McMullen's departure was due to conduct 'inconsistent with Kroger's policy on business ethics' but stressed that it was unrelated to the company's financial performance or operations, according to CNN. The board revealed that it had been made aware of McMullen's personal conduct on 21 February 2025, prompting an immediate investigation led by independent counsel. The inquiry, overseen by a special board committee, ultimately led to McMullen's resignation, as reported by Kroger's official statement.
