Headquarters of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Bentonville
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. of Bentonville on Wednesday announced another executive change at its U.S. stores division.
The world’s largest retailer said Judith McKenna has been promoted to COO of Walmart U.S. McKenna succeeds Gisel Ruiz, who has been appointed executive vice president of Walmart’s International People Division.
The move continues the series of personnel changes that have taken place since July, when CEO Doug McMillon announced that former U.S. division CEO Bill Simon would leave and be replaced by Greg Foran.
Foran, who had been CEO of Walmart China, took over Wal-Mart’s U.S. stores in August.
Last month, Duncan Mac Naughton, the division’s chief merchandising officer, announced he would leave the company. Foran has not named a successor, citing an “opportunity to get closer to the merchandising organization.”
In a news release, Wal-Mart said McKenna would “assume her responsibilities immediately” and continue to report directly to Foran. Ruiz will also assume her responsibilities immediately, reporting to Walmart International President and CEO David Cheesewright.
“One of the great things about Wal-Mart is the depth and breadth of talent at all levels of our organization,” Foran said in a news release. “Around the globe, we have some of the best leaders in retail because of our focus on developing talent and our commitment to creating opportunities for diverse experiences. The announcements we’re making today are examples of just that.”
McKenna, who joined Walmart nearly 20 years ago as part of its Asda leadership team in the United Kingdom, will lead the company’s small format stores, the development of new formats, the expansion of Wal-Mart services and the integration of digital commerce into the retailer’s U.S. stores.
As executive vice president of Walmart’s International People Division, Ruiz will drive the divison’s human resources strategy, which encompasses more than 1 million associates in 26 countries around the world.
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