Kroger is strengthening its digital innovation and data-driven strategy with the appointment of Milen Mahadevan as Chief Data and AI Officer, a newly created role that demonstrates the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in the US retail group's strategies. Mahadevan, currently president of analytics firm 84.51°, will continue to lead the subsidiary specializing in consumer data analytics, a role he has held since July 2020, while also assuming responsibility for coordinating all of the retailer's data and AI initiatives.
The decision was announced during the fourth-quarter earnings conference call, when Chairman Ron Sargent explained that the creation of this new function reflects the company's desire to accelerate its technological transformation and strengthen its advanced use of customer and sales information. In his new role, Mahadevan will oversee all of Kroger's data management and AI solution development efforts, aiming to fully leverage the group's information assets and translate them into competitive advantages both operationally and in customer relationships.
The company has decided to unite all its data science, analytics, and artificial intelligence teams under his leadership, creating an integrated structure designed to support the various business functions, from store management to customizing product offerings. According to the group, the goal is to develop new "agentic" artificial intelligence capabilities—systems capable of operating increasingly autonomously to support decisions, automate processes, and improve customer interactions.
The initiative is part of a process Kroger has already undertaken in recent years to integrate AI solutions into its digital platform and distribution network operations. In 2025, for example, the retailer was among the first large-scale retailers to adopt artificial intelligence technology developed by Instacart, which allows users to create online shopping carts through automatic AI-generated suggestions.
At the same time, the company also introduced Sage, an AI-powered virtual assistant for employees designed to simplify the management of daily tasks such as checking work schedules or requesting vacation time. During the financial results presentation, CFO David Kennerley emphasized that the creation of the new position is a clear signal of the strategic importance placed on artificial intelligence within the organization.
According to the manager, Kroger plans significant investments starting in 2026 to further develop its capabilities in this area and seize the opportunities offered by the combination of data, advanced analytics, and intelligent automation. Kennerley also emphasized that the company is still in the early stages of this journey, despite having already made significant progress. The challenge for the retailer will now be to transform these technologies into tools capable of improving operational efficiency, offering personalization, and the quality of the shopping experience—elements that are increasingly central in the competition among large grocery retailers.
