Walmart Names Int’l Div. Prez/CEO
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has promoted David Cheesewright to the position of president and CEO of Walmart International, the company’s second-largest operating segment. Cheesewright (left), now president and CEO of Walmart’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Canada region, will report to Doug McMillon, who was appointed on Nov. 25 to take over from Mike Duke as the Bentonville, Ark.-based company’s president and CEO. Both begin their new roles on Feb. 1, 2014, with Cheesewright’s replacement to be named at a later date.
“David will lead the division at an exciting time,” noted McMillon. “We have strengthened our business and gained market share in the majority of our international markets, and he had a key role in that success. He brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of innovation and governance. With his deep knowledge of the company, our customers, and our purpose, he is the ideal person to steer our next chapter of continued, long-term growth. David’s passion for sustainability will drive change that will help improve our world.”
“A tremendous opportunity lies ahead for our company,” said Cheesewright. “Our success is dependent on our associates, and I’m committed to investing in them. Together, we will find innovative and sustainable ways to serve our customers and provide them with the quality, affordable products they expect from us. Through strong capital discipline, we will continue to invest in new stores and e-commerce growth, as well as productivity improvements that drive profitable growth and returns.”
Global Reach
Cheesewright has spent more than a quarter of a century in the international retail and manufacturing sectors. He launched his Walmart career in 1999 at Asda, the company’s U.K. division, with leadership roles in operations, merchandising, logistics, strategy and format development. He was then COO for both Walmart Canada and Asda before becoming CEO of Walmart Canada. In that role, Cheesewright guided the growth of the company’s operations in that country, which included bringing the supercenter format to the Canadian market and expanding the company’s e-commerce operations.
In 2011, he rose to his current position as president and CEO of the EMEA and Canada region, where he shepherded the integration of the Massmart acquisition in Sub-Saharan Africa and more aggressive growth in the United Kingdom via the Netto stores acquisition. Additionally, he aided in the development and expansion of Asda’s online grocery delivery program and is on the board of Walmart’s China e-commerce business, Yihaodian.
The International division accounts for almost 30 percent of the company’s revenue, with more than 6,200 locations under 64 banners in 26 countries outside the United States. Walmart operates 11,096 stores under 69 banners in 27 countries and e-commerce websites in 10 countries.