Walmart Stores Inc. (Bentonville, Ark.) has promoted Judith McKenna to the post of chief operating officer. The appointment of McKenna, a 20-year company veteran, represents Walmart’s latest shift in senior management under U.S. chief Greg Foran, who was appointed in August. McKenna’s promotion from chief development officer follows last month’s resignation of chief merchandising officer, Duncan Mac Naughton.
Analysts say the reshuffling is part Walmart’s efforts to build on a burgeoning recovery following two disappointing years. McKenna succeeds Gisel Ruiz, who was named executive vp for the company’s overseas human resource functions. McKenna will continue to lead Walmart’s expansion of its small format stores and the integration of e-commerce and store operations, both projects she led in her previous position as chief development officer, according to Reuters. McKenna will also oversee day-to-day operations of Walmart's 4300 stores in the United States and its 1.3 million employees.