Chief merchandiser of Walmart out

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The merchandising organization at Walmart is being transformed again following the departure of executive VP and chief merchandising officer Duncan Mac Naughton. His departure, in turn, served as the linchpin for several other high level moves.



MacNaughton’s departure had been the subject of intensifying speculation since early October when his two homes in Northwest Arkansas came on the market. His departure was officially announced internally at Walmart on Nov. 25 by Walmart U.S. president and CEO Greg Foran who had been elevated to his current role four months earlier to fill the positon vacated by Bill Simon.



“Duncan’s departure has allowed me to relook at our merchandising structure and the incredible talent within the team,” Foran said. “At this time, I have chosen not to name a new chief merchant. I would like to use this opportunity to get closer to the merchandising organization.”



In conjunction with Mac Naughton’s departure, Foran announced several other changes involving senior merchandising leaders including:



• Steve Bratspies will transition from his role as EVP of general merchandise to EVP of food. Current EVP of food Jack Sinclair will aid in Bratspies’ transition before assuming an unspecified role at a later date.

• Andy Barron will retain his role as EVP of Softlines and will assume responsibility for general merchandise.

• Michelle Gloeckler will remain EVP of consumables and U.S. Manufacturing and gain oversight of the health and wellness business overseen by SVP Labeed Diab.

• John Aden will remain in his current role as EVP of sales innovation and Scott Huff will remain in his current role as EVP of merchandising operations.



“Through Duncan’s leadership, we have focused on developing our merchants while also driving stronger collaboration between marketing and merchandising,” Foran said in an internal Walmart memo. “This has made us more relevant to and focused on our customers. I also think it’s important to recognize Duncan for his leadership in re-engaging with our suppliers to develop joint business plans. This work is resulting in better and more localized assortment in our stores.”



Mac Naughton joined the company in 2009 as chief merchandising officer of Wal-Mart Canada and moved over to the merchandising operations at the U.S. business in 2010.