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BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart named new head merchants for its Walmart U.S. and Sam’s Club divisions, and designated a successor to its chief financial officer, who is retiring.
Steve Bratspies
Steve Bratspies, who most recently served as executive vice president of food for Walmart U.S., has taken the reins as chief merchandising officer of the division. In his new post he continues to report to Walmart U.S. president and chief executive officer Greg Foran.
Bratspies fills the vacancy left by Duncan Mac Naughton, who left Walmart last November to pursue other opportunities. Mac Naughton had served as chief merchandising officer for Walmart U.S. stores since in January 2011.
“Walmart is known for its world-class merchandising organization,” Bratspies said in a statement. “From the buyers and replenishment managers to our merchandise operations experts, it’s a dedicated team with a commitment to serving customers that I’m honored to lead. Going forward, we’ll continue our relentless focus on our customers. We’ll move with speed and conviction to ‘super-serve’ the millions who shop Walmart.
“We will stay true to our mission by strengthening our commitment to everyday-low prices, optimizing our assortment and winning at omnichannel retailing through strong partnerships with our suppliers and a continued investment in our associates.”
Walmart credited Bratspies, in his previous role as executive vice president of food at Walmart U.S., with overhauling the retailer’s grocery aisles with a focus on improving its fresh food offering and expanding its private brand and global sourcing capabilities. Since joining Walmart in 2005, he has held leadership positions in marketing, dry grocery and general merchandise.
“Steve is a true leader and an example of the rich talent that exists within the merchandise organization,” Foran said. “His outstanding merchandising instincts and commitment to innovation and price leadership will challenge the status quo to serve our customers better.”
Succeeding Bratspies as executive vice president of food for Walmart U.S. is Charles Redfield, who had been serving as executive vice president of merchandising at Sam’s Club. Redfield joined Sam’s Club in 1988 as a cashier and moved up the ranks to serve in operational and merchandising leadership roles, including chief merchandising officer for Asda.
Taking over as executive vice president of merchandising at Sam’s Club is John Furner, who had been chief merchandising and marketing officer at Walmart China, where he is credited with making key improvements in buying leverage and reducing organizational complexity, yielding improved profitability and price leadership.
Walmart also announced that Charles Holley, who has been CFO since December 2010, is retiring at the end of the year. He will be succeeded by Brett Biggs, who is currently CFO of the company’s Walmart International division.
