Charles Redfield to step down as Walmart’s chief merchandising officer

Charles Redfield is stepping down as Walmart’s chief merchandising officer next month. He will stay on as an advisor for the business. Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner informed employees about Redfield’s departure in a memo on Friday. The news was first reported in the Wall Street Journal. 

A Walmart spokesperson provided Drug Store News with Furner's memo, in which he stated: 

There are merchants, and then there’s our Chief Merchandising Officer Charles Redfield. I could probably stop there and many associates across our businesses and the retail industry would know exactly what I mean. But with his decision to begin a new chapter in June spending more time with family, there’s much more of the Charles story to be shared.   

Charles started his Walmart career 32 years ago when he joined Sam’s Club as a cashier while attending college at the University of Arkansas. After completing his degree, Charles began his full-time career as an assistant manager with Sam’s Club and over the course of several years, progressed to hold a number of leadership roles within Sam’s Club operations and merchandising.

[Read more: Walmart’s CFO to depart]

In 2010, Charles was named chief merchandising officer for Asda, Walmart's U.K. subsidiary. During his two years with Asda, Charles brought renewed simplicity, clarity, and purpose to the U.K. merchant team, and played an integral role in the price leadership and quality step-change experienced by U.K. customers.

Charles returned to the U.S. in May 2012 to serve as executive vice president of merchandising for Sam’s Club, with sourcing and merchandising responsibility. In 2015, Charles was named executive vice president of food for Walmart U.S., responsible for overall strategy, assortment, private brands, and sourcing for food categories, and held this position prior to his current role as executive vice president and chief merchandising officer for Walmart U.S.

As a true advocate for the customer, Charles leads his organization with an unwavering foundation of EDLC and EDLP. 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. 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. He’s built a world-class diverse team that is on track to deliver for the business.

Read more: Pharmacy Innovator of the Year 2021: Walmart connects with communities]

Beginning May 1, Charles will focus on transitioning his work and supporting the U.S. business in an advisory role. We’ll look forward to celebrating him later this spring. News about our next Chief Merchandising Officer will be shared soon.

Please join me in congratulating Charles on his impressive career at Walmart and in wishing him the best in his next chapter.