Kroger's Columbus Division Chief Retiring

Bruce Macaulay will retire as president of The Kroger Co.’s Columbus division; his last day will be March 27.

“Bruce is an extraordinary leader and gentleman,” said Mike Ellis, Kroger's president and COO. “His passion for our associates, customers and the community have contributed to Kroger’s growth in countless ways. Bruce’s knowledge, compassion and guidance will be missed, but his legacy will continue within our industry, company and the community.” Macaulay's successor has yet to be named.

Macaulay has been Columbus division president since 2008, when he was appointed to oversee operations for 123 stores throughout northwest, southeast and central Ohio. Previoulsy, he served as president of the Great Lakes Division, a merger of Kroger’s Michigan and Columbus divisions.

Macaulay joined Kroger in 1973 as a part-time clerk. He worked at the Berwick Plaza store in Columbus while studying at The Ohio State University, and later transferred to the store on Refugee Road. He entered the company’s management training program in 1979. Through the years, he served in various roles, including co-manager, store manager, grocery merchandising and district manager. He also spent several years at the company’s corporate headquarters in Cincinnati, holding such positions as director of grocery merchandising, VP of grocery merchandising and procurement and group VP of grocery, drug/general merchandising, pharmacy and advertising. In addition, he worked in Kroger’s Cincinnati/Dayton division.

During his tenure, Maccaulay was a leader in the development of category management. He led the consolidation of grocery merchandising to the corporate office; played a key role in the merger of Fred Meyer; and led the Columbus division in opening the first concept Marketplace in a Kroger division in November 2004.

Cincinnati-based Kroger operates 2,638 supermarkets and multidepartment stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's.