U.S. retail sales decline as Kroger expands ecommerce leadership

U.S. retail and food-service sales declined 0.6% in July to $763.6 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. While this remains 5.0% higher than July 2025, the month-to-month data indicates a softening in consumer momentum.

In response to evolving digital demands, Kroger has appointed Nate Faust, a former Walmart ecommerce leader and co-founder of Jet.com, as Executive Vice President and Chief eCommerce Officer. Faust is set to begin his role on September 1, focusing on integrating Kroger’s digital assets, including pickup, delivery, and automated fulfillment, into a unified customer experience. Kroger is also working to combine grocery and prescription delivery services.

The broader retail sector is seeing increased investment in automation and artificial intelligence. Major players like Amazon and Walmart are accelerating investments in micro-fulfillment, while companies such as Schnucks and Just Eat are implementing AI-driven shopping assistants and voice technology.