Walmart chief merchant to depart

A 32-year Walmart veteran is stepping down.

Charles Redfield, executive VP and chief merchandising officer of Walmart U.S., will leave his role on May 1 in order to spend more time with his family. He will transition to an advisory role when he steps down. The news was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Redfield, who was appointed chief merchandising officer in January 2022, is leaving the role as the retail giant and other retailers are challenged by a weak sales environment as consumers cut back on discretionary spending. In February, Walmart offered weak guidance for the year ahead.

Prior to being named chief merchant, Redfield, from 2015 to 2022, was executive VP of food for Walmart U.S., responsible for overall strategy, assortment, private brands and sourcing for food categories.

Redfield began his career at Walmart when he joined Sam’s Club as a cashier while still in college. He has held a number of leadership roles throughout the years, including serving as chief merchandising officer for Asda, Walmart's U.K. subsidiary which it sold in 2010.  He also served as executive VP of merchandising for Sam’s Club.

In a memo to employees, Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner called Redfield a “true advocate for the customer,” as reported by CNBC.

“Whether they’re shopping online or in stores, his focus has been ensuring customers can always find the items they need and want at the lowest possible prices,” Furner wrote. “Especially as inflation started skyrocketing, Charles and team have worked hard with suppliers to lower prices and give value to customers when they’ve needed it most.”