Walmart promotes Latriece Watkins to chief merchandising officer

Walmart Inc. has promoted Latriece Watkins to chief merchandising officer. John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart U.S., shared the news with employees Friday (May 5) in an internal memo.

Watkins’ appointment is effective immediately. She replaces Charles Redfield, who is leaving the Bentonville retailer this month after 32 years with the company.

A McGehee native in southeast Arkansas, Watkins, 48, has worked at Walmart for 24 years in numerous merchandising roles and leadership positions in human resources and operations for Walmart and Sam’s Club.

Most recently, Watkins was executive vice president of consumables for Walmart U.S. According to Furner, she helped accelerate sales revenue through supplier partnerships and licensed innovation.

“We have a rich history of strong leaders who embrace this constant change, set bold visions for our teams and best represent the humanity that is Walmart,” Furner wrote in the e-mail. “I have long admired those qualities in Latriece Watkins. Her enthusiasm, talent and deep experience helped establish the omni-merchandising strategy we have today, and her focus on customers and members will only strengthen our position in the future.”

Watkins joined Walmart as an intern in the company’s real estate division while pursuing her law degree at the University of Arkansas, which she completed in 1999. Watkins earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Spelman College.