Walmart Shuffles Executive Ranks After Holiday Season--Update
January 17 2020 - 12:15PM
Dow Jones News
By Sarah Nassauer
Walmart Inc. chief merchant Steve Bratspies is leaving the
company as the country's largest retailer shakes up its executive
ranks following the crucial holiday season.
Mr. Bratspies has been the company's chief merchandising officer
for more than four years, a key role that oversees product
selection and pricing in its U.S. stores, according to the
company.
He will be replaced by Scott McCall, another company veteran,
who recently has overseen the company's U.S. entertainment and toys
business.
The retailer also named Dacona Smith as chief operating officer
for the Walmart U.S. unit, according to the memo, filling a role
that had been vacant since the former COO Judith McKenna became
head of Walmart's international division in 2018. Mr. Smith has
worked for Walmart for 30 year, the memo said, most recently as COO
of the company's Sam's Club chain.
In a statement, Mr. Bratspies declined to discuss his plans
after 14 years at Walmart, saying "it's time for a new
challenge."
Walmart often makes major executive changes before the end of
its fiscal year on Jan. 31. This year's shuffle follows the exit of
the head of its U.S. business, Greg Foran.
Mr. Foran said in October he would leave on Jan. 31 to take over
as chief executive of Air New Zealand Ltd. The New Zealand native
led a turnaround in the company's U.S. business by pulling back on
store openings and investing to remodel existing stores. He was
replaced by former Sam's Club chief John Furner.
The company's chief merchant for its U.S. e-commerce operations
Ashley Buchanan left Walmart last month to become chief executive
of craft retailer Michaels Cos.
Walmart is scheduled to report its fourth-quarter results --
including holiday sales -- in February. The retailer has been
riding a streak of strong sales in its home market. Several other
chains, including Target Corp., have warned of lackluster holiday
sales. Target blamed weak sales of toys and electronics for its
shortfall.
U.S. government data showed strong consumer spending for the
month of December, with retail spending, excluding autos and gas,
rising 0.5% from a month earlier.
Write to Sarah Nassauer at sarah.nassauer@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 17, 2020 12:00 ET (17:00 GMT)
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