Walmart Names Longtime Executive as Chief Merchant
A building on the campus of the Walmart Home Office. Photo: Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press By Sarah Nassauer May 5, 2023 4:19 pm ET Walmart named Latriece Watkins, a longtime company executive, as its new chief merchant Friday, filling a vacancy atop the retail giant that was created last month. Ms. Watkins will oversee all product purchases, effective immediately, according to a memo sent to staff Friday that was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. She replaces Charles Redfield, who the company said last month would leave after one year in the job. Ms. Watkins, 48, has worked at Walmart for more than 20 years, most recently as executive vice president of consumables for the U.S. business. She is the first woman and first p
A building on the campus of the Walmart Home Office.
Photo: Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press
Walmart named Latriece Watkins, a longtime company executive, as its new chief merchant Friday, filling a vacancy atop the retail giant that was created last month.
Ms. Watkins will oversee all product purchases, effective immediately, according to a memo sent to staff Friday that was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. She replaces Charles Redfield, who the company said last month would leave after one year in the job.
Ms. Watkins, 48, has worked at Walmart for more than 20 years, most recently as executive vice president of consumables for the U.S. business. She is the first woman and first person of color to hold the top merchant job at Walmart.
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Subscribe NowThe top merchant is responsible for teams that choose all products sold through Walmart stores and digital channels. At Walmart, the executive plays an outsize role in deciding what Americans can buy and at what price.
Walmart has reported strong sales throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. In recent quarters, shoppers gave priority to spending on necessities such as food amid high prices. The majority of Walmart’s revenue comes from food and consumables. At the same time, sales of generally higher margin products have weakened, which has put profits under pressure at Walmart, Target and other retailers.
Walmart declined to comment beyond the memo.
Write to Sarah Nassauer at [email protected]
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