Walmart chief merchant retires, customer service officer exits

By

Benjamin Fitzgerald

Published
Jan 18, 2022

Walmart Inc has announced the departure of two executives from its American business, as the supermarket chain continues on a trajectory of mid-to-high single digit growth for its U.S. same-store sales for the full year.

After holding the role since early 2020, Scott McCall will retire as chief merchandising officer, having spent close to three decades with the company, according to a memo from John Furner, Walmart U.S. business head, to Walmart employees.

Joining Walmart as hourly trainee manager, McCall's ​roles have included time as a buyer in lawn and garden, vice president in hardware and toys, and senior vice president in consumables, health and wellness, and home. Prior to his current position, he most recently served as senior vice president for entertainment, toys and seasonal where he led all merchandising activities for toys, seasonal, celebrations, media and gaming, consumer electronics, wireless and photo.

Coinciding with the news, Walmart said its chief customer officer, Janey Whiteside, will leave in March. Whiteside was responsible for looking after Walmart’s brand and thinking through the customer journey for both Walmart stores and e-commerce. 

Before joining Walmart in 2018, she spent more than 20 years at American Express in leadership roles ranging from international pricing, relationship management and marketing, to customer engagement and global products, benefits and services.

“While we are sad to see [Whiteside] go, we respect her decision and wish her all the best,” Furner said. 

The news comes after Walmart announced in November ​that its chief financial officer Brett Biggs would leave by early 2023. 

In its most recent trading update in mid-November, Walmart said sales at U.S. stores open at least a year rose 9.2% for the third quarter. Looking ahead, it expects full-year U.S. same-store sales to be more than 6% higher than its prior forecast of a 5% to 6% rise.

Adjusted profit is expected to be around $6.40 per share up from a previous range of $6.20 to $6.35.