Former dunnhumbyUSA and 84.51 Chief to Leave Kroger

In Cincinnati, retail group The Kroger Company has announced that Stuart Aitken is stepping down as SVP, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer, to be replaced by Mary Ellen Adcock. Aitken played a key role in the integration of dunnhumbyUSA and the setting up of analytics unit 84.51°.

Aitken joined the group in 2009 as COO of dunnhumbyUSA, the retailer's joint venture with London-based dunnhumby, then boasting an annual revenue of $200m. Six years later around 500 staff, most from the JV, were moved into a new agency called 84.51°, wholly owned by Kroger and using dunnhumby's tools under licence - Aitken became its CEO. He moved to the parent group in 2020 with the title of SVP and Chief Merchant. He leaves 'to pursue other professional opportunities', as yet unspecified.

Adcock (pictured) takes up the CMMO role when Aitken leaves on 31st December. She joined Kroger in 1999 in its manufacturing division, and was promoted through VP roles in deli / bakery manufacturing, natural foods and merchandising to Group VP of Retail Operations in 2016 and SVP, her current title, in 2019. She currently leads strategic operations for the company's more than 2,700 stores across 35 states supporting more than 416,000 associates and serving 11 million customers every day.

Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen comments: 'On behalf of the Kroger Board and management team, I want to thank Stuart for his work to evolve Kroger's brand while bringing exciting, innovating products to our shelves. He played an instrumental role in overseeing dunnhumby's integration and establishing 84.51°. Mary Ellen is a respected leader both within Kroger and our industry. 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 associates'.

Web sites: www.kroger.com and www.8451.com .