Kroger names Mark Ibbotson chief store operations officer
Kroger appoints a new Executive Vice President and Chief Store Operations Officer with a multi-year equity-heavy compensation package tied to long-term performance.
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Kroger Co. (KR) appointed Mark Ibbotson, 63, as Executive Vice President and Chief Store Operations Officer, effective September 14, 2026. He has held senior operations and innovation roles at Asda and Walmart U.S. and has recently advised retail and technology companies.
His compensation includes a $1,000,000 annual base salary and an annual incentive bonus target equal to 110% of base salary, pro-rated for 2026. Equity awards to be granted in December 2026 include $1.25 million in restricted shares vesting over three years, $1.25 million in performance unit equity awards under the 2026–2028 long-term incentive plan, and a further one-time $1 million restricted share grant vesting over two years. He is also eligible for an annual long-term equity grant in March 2027 with a current total target value of $5 million, and will participate in Kroger’s standard executive relocation program.
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8-K Event Classification
3 items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
3 items
Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers
Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure
Disclosure
Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, or exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Annual base salary: $1,000,000
Annual incentive bonus target: 110% of base salary
Restricted share grant (3-year vesting): $1,250,000
+4 more
7 metrics
Annual base salary
$1,000,000
Base salary for Mark Ibbotson as Executive Vice President and Chief Store Operations Officer
Annual incentive bonus target
110% of base salary
Target bonus percentage for Mark Ibbotson, pro-rated for 2026
Restricted share grant (3-year vesting)
$1,250,000
One-time restricted share grant vesting ratably over three years, to be awarded in December 2026
Performance unit equity awards 2026–2028
$1,250,000
Grant under the 2026–2028 long-term incentive plan, to be awarded in December 2026
Additional restricted share grant (2-year vesting)
$1,000,000
One-time restricted share grant vesting ratably over two years, to be awarded in December 2026
Ongoing long-term equity target value
$5,000,000
Current total target value of annual long-term equity and performance unit awards from March 2027
Executive relocation temporary housing period
90 days
Duration of temporary housing under Kroger’s standard executive relocation program
Key Terms
performance unit equity awards, long-term incentive plan, restricted shares, executive relocation program, +1 more
5 terms
performance unit equity awards financial
"will receive a grant of $1.25 million in performance unit equity awards"
long-term incentive plan financial
"under the 2026-2028 long-term incentive plan, to be awarded"
A long-term incentive plan is a company program that pays executives or employees with stock, options, or cash tied to multi-year performance goals, where the rewards become theirs only after meeting conditions over time. Think of it as a delayed bonus or retirement-style reward that aligns employees’ interests with shareholders by encouraging them to boost long-term value; investors watch these plans because they affect pay costs, share dilution and management incentives.
executive relocation program financial
"will participate in the Company’s standard executive relocation program"
omnichannel retail technical
"innovator in omnichannel retail"
Omnichannel retail is a sales approach that blends a company’s online and physical shopping options so customers can move seamlessly between websites, mobile apps, stores, social media and call centers—like shopping for shoes in a store, reserving a pair on an app, and picking them up same day. Investors care because companies that execute omnichannel strategies can reach more customers, improve repeat sales and cut costs, which often boosts revenue predictability and competitive resilience.
FAQ
What executive leadership change did KR announce on August 31, 2026?
Kroger appointed Mark Ibbotson as Executive Vice President and Chief Store Operations Officer, effective September 14, 2026, bringing senior operations and innovation experience from Asda, Walmart U.S., and advisory roles with retail and technology companies.
What is Mark Ibbotson’s base salary at Kroger (KR)?
Mark Ibbotson will receive an annual base salary of $1,000,000 as Executive Vice President and Chief Store Operations Officer, with eligibility for additional incentive and long-term equity compensation as described in his package.
What annual bonus opportunity will KR’s new Chief Store Operations Officer have?
Mark Ibbotson is eligible for an annual incentive bonus target equal to 110% of his $1,000,000 base salary, pro-rated for 2026, aligning cash incentive pay with Kroger’s performance goals.
What equity awards will Kroger (KR) grant to Mark Ibbotson in December 2026?
In December 2026, Kroger plans to grant Mark Ibbotson $1.25 million in restricted shares vesting over three years, $1.25 million in performance unit equity awards under the 2026–2028 long-term incentive plan, and a one-time $1 million restricted share grant vesting over two years.
What is the long-term equity target value for KR’s new executive starting in 2027?
Beginning in March 2027, Mark Ibbotson is eligible for an annual long-term equity grant and performance unit equity awards under Kroger’s Long-Term Incentive Plan, with a current total target value of $5 million.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
