The Kroger Co. announced a key promotion in support of Restock Kroger and beyond with the appointment of Stuart W. Aitken to the newly created role of senior vice president of alternative business, effective Feb. 3.
In this role, Aitken will assume oversight for Kroger's successful existing alternative profit businesses, including 84.51° and Kroger Personal Finance, and also lead the development of a full portfolio of alternative businesses to support the transformation of Kroger's growth model. Aitken will continue to serve as chief executive officer of 84.51° and oversee Kroger's marketing function.
"Stuart is a dynamic leader with a proven track record of value creation in businesses that further monetize Kroger's successful core," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and chief executive officer. "Throughout his time at 84.51° and as a member of Kroger's senior leadership team, Stuart has been instrumental to the successful development and growth of the alternative profit stream portfolio. That portfolio makes the transformation of Kroger's growth model possible, by developing successful asset-light, margin rich businesses."
Aitken was elected group vice president in 2015 and has been responsible for leading Kroger's data analytics subsidiary, 84.51°, as its CEO since its inception, also in 2015. In addition, Aitken has been helping transform Kroger's marketing efforts as chief marketing officer since 2017. Prior to this, he served as the CEO of dunnhumbyUSA since 2010. Aitken has over 15 years of marketing, academic and technical experience across a variety of industries, and held various leadership roles with other companies, including Michael's Stores and Safeway Inc.
Originally from Scotland, Aitken holds a bachelor's degree with distinction and an master's degree in information management from Queen Margaret University and University of Strathclyde. He serves on the boards of InvenTrust Properties Corp. and the Food Marketing Institute. He is also a member of the Business Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland - Cincinnati.
