Walmart Revamps Food Leadership

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has made changes to its food leadership team, according to a published report that cited ramped-up competition with the likes of Lidl and pressure to keep prices low as reasons for the shakeup.

Charles Redfield, Walmart U.S.’ EVP for food, revealed the changes in an internal memo, Reuters reported, adding that Redfield said that the Bentonville, Ark.-based mega-retailer is placing execs in new roles so it can up its game in a rapidly changing retail landscape.

As part of the changes, Shawn Baldwin, SVP and general merchandise manager for produce and global food sourcing, will head up a new initiative for Hispanic customers, on which no further details were yet available. Baldwin will be replaced in his former position by Martin Mundo, who has held roles for the company in Argentina and other countries.

Further changes include dividing bakery and deli leadership, with Kerry Robinson remaining head of the bakery business and Tyler Lehr taking over deli services.

The company is also aligning its merchandising operations, with Scott McCall overseeing the entertainment, toys and seasonal product categories in the role of general merchandise manager, and Jeff Evans becoming general merchandise manager for products under the home category, among other appointments.