Kroger taps former Walmart exec as chief e-commerce officer
Kroger is adding a seasoned e-commerce veteran to its C-suite.
The Ohio-based grocer has named Nate Faust as executive VP and chief e-commerce officer, effective Sept. 1, bringing more than two decades of building and scaling online businesses to the company.
Faust most recently spent three years as the founder and CEO of e-commerce and logistics delivery startup Olive, which partnered with brands like Rhone, Cynthia Rowley and Rent the Runway to create a “waste-free delivery and returns experience.”
"Nate built businesses that redefined what customers expect from e-commerce, built on speed, value and the experience of getting exactly what the customer ordered," said Kroger CEO Greg Foran, who has led the grocer since February. "That is the standard we are holding ourselves to as we grow our digital business. I am thrilled to welcome Nate to the team."
Faust is the co-founder of mass merchandise e-commerce marketplace Jet.com. As chief operating officer, he led first-party merchandising, replenishment, fulfillment and customer service. After Jet.com was acquired by Walmart in 2016, Faust served as senior VP of Walmart U.S. e-commerce supply chain, where he led a multi-year transformation of the customer delivery experience.
Earlier in his career, Faust was a member of the executive team at Diapers.com.
"Kroger has deep customer relationships, unmatched loyalty data and a footprint that puts us closer to customers," said Faust. "I couldn't pass up the opportunity to work alongside Greg again and build on that strong foundation, continuing to improve the customer experience in this fast-growing part of the business.”
E-commerce remains a key part of Kroger’s business. In its most recent earnings report, total company sales were $46.1 billion, a 2% year over year increase from $45.1 billion, while adjusted e-commerce sales growth of 19% helped drive overall sales improvement.
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Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, The Kroger Co. operates approximately 2,800 stores under a variety of banners across the U.S., including Kroger, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Dillons, Smith's, King Soopers, Fry's, QFC, City Market, Owen's, Jay C, Pay Less, Baker's, Gerbes, Harris Teeter, Pick 'n Save, Metro Market and Mariano's.
