Walmart Inc has announced that its chief executive for US operations, Greg Foran, will leave the company early next year and be replaced by the head of its Sam's Club warehouse chain unit, John Furner.
Foran's departure is likely to be considered a blow for Walmart given the New Zealand native is credited with turning around Walmart's U.S. business by focusing on improving existing stores.
Walmart reported 20 quarters of comparable sales growth under his leadership.
Foran, who has held the job since 2014, will stay with Walmart until January 31 and then take on the role of chief executive at Air New Zealand Ltd (AIR.NZ), an appointment that was also announced separately by the airline.
Innovation First
Walmart Inc Chief Executive Doug McMillon said Foran's ability to innovate, including using new technology, "has helped position us for the future."
However, some investors were skeptical of the change in leadership. "While we've been highly impressed with Mr. Furner's work at Sam's Club... he does admittedly have big shoes to fill," said a note from Jefferies Group LLC. "We can't help but expect the market to react negatively to today's news."
Furner has run the $57.8 billion Sam's Club business since 2017. Over that time, he has improved the unit's performance with higher comparable sales by pushing the retailer to innovate, shutting stores, and repurposing stores as distribution hubs.
News by Reuters, edited by ESM. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
