Walmart makes more merchandising changes

Senior leadership within Walmart’s merchandising organization continues to undergo a transformation, as the retailer’s chief merchandising officer Duncan Mac Naughton on Friday announced another round of personnel moves. 

The most recent changes were precipitated by an announcement the prior week that veteran merchant John Westling was retiring from his position of EVP general merchandise and replenishment. That resulted in the elevation of SVPs John Aden and Pam Kohn to new EVP roles, which in turn triggered additional personnel moves Walmart announced internally on Friday.

Among the key changes, Gary Severson will transition to the role of SVP/GMM hardlines after previously serving as SVP/GMM entertainment. Filling his shoes will be Seong Ohm, who will serve as SVP/GMM entertainment after previously holding the position of SVP home, hardlines and entertainment in Walmart’s Global Merchandising Center. Severson and Ohm will report to Aden.

Filling Ohm’s role is veteran merchant Karen Stuckey who was named SVP home, hardlines and entertainment in the Global Merchandise Center. She will report to EVP softlines Andy Barron

Filling Stuckey’s role is Michelle Gloeckler, who was named SVP/GMM home and will also report to Barron. She previously served as SVP merchandise execution.

Another notable move involved Matt Kistler, who was named SVP merchandise execution after serving briefly as SVP marketing prior to which he was SVP sustainability. 

The previous week, in conjunction with Westling’s retirement announcement, the company named John Aden EVP general merchandise and Pam Kohn EVP Walmart’s merchandise services organization. Aden had previously served as SVP hardlines, and Kohn was SVP global food sourcing.