At the start of the new year, Mary Ellen Adcock, The Kroger Co.’s senior vice president of operations since 2019, began her new role as chief merchandising and marketing officer, succeeding Stuart Aitken who stepped down Dec. 31, 2024.

Aitken had played a key role in overseeing dunnhumby’s integration and establishing 84.51º, the company said.

Adcock has held a variety of leadership positions at Kroger since 1999. Among her many notable contributions, she developed Kroger’s “Full, Fresh & Friendly: Every Customer Every Time” program, Kroger said.

“Mary Ellen is a respected leader both within Kroger and our industry,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman and CEO. “Her deep strategic experience in her past 25 years with Kroger in roles of increasing responsibility will continue to drive value for customers and growth for our business and also for our associates.”