BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart chief merchandising officer Charles Redfield will be stepping down from his post next month.
Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner said in a memo to employees on Friday that Redfield will leave the role on May 1 to spend more time with his family. He will stay on as an advisor for the business. The Wall Street Journal first reported Redfield’s departure.
Redfield, a 32-year veteran of Walmart, is leaving as retailers navigate a tougher sales environment. Walmart in February gave a weaker-than-expected outlook for the fiscal year ahead, saying it expects same-store sales for Walmart U.S. to rise between 2% and 2.5% excluding fuel. The company reiterated that forecast at an investor event in Tampa, Florida last week.
Redfield became Walmart’s chief merchandising officer in January 2022, overseeing relationships with suppliers and the company’s strategy across categories from food to general merchandise. He started his career at Walmart as a cashier at Sam’s Club while attending University of Arkansas and moved up the ranks as an assistant manager there.
Prior to becoming Walmart’s chief merchant, he was named chief merchandising officer for Asda, a U.K. supermarket chain that Walmart acquired and later sold, in 2010. He later served as executive vice president of merchandising for Sam’s Club and executive vice president of food for Walmart U.S.
Redfield was “a true advocate for the customer,” especially as costs have risen, Furner said in the email Friday.
