Walmart U.S. has named a new chief operating officer and chief merchandising officer.
Chief Merchandising Officer Steve Bratspies, who oversaw product selection and pricing in Walmart’s stores, is leaving the company, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Bratspies has been with Walmart for 14 years and needed “a new challenge,” he said in a statement.
Scott McCall, who most recently oversaw the global retailer’s U.S. entertainment and toys unit, will take Bratspies’ place.
Meanwhile, Walmart U.S. named Dacona Smith as chief operating officer. Smith, who has worked for the retailer for 30 years, most recently served as COO of Sam’s Club.
The COO position had been vacant since former COO Judith McKenna switched to Walmart’s international division in 2018.
In related news, Walmart U.S. is on track to net around US 191 billion (EUR 172 billion) in grocery store sales for 2019, according to BMO Capital Markets analyst Kelly Bania, the Food Institute reported.
“That would further increase Walmart's lead as the nation's largest grocery seller, giving the company an approximately 27.5 percent share of all U.S. grocery sales in 2019,” the organization said.
Photo courtesy of Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock
