BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Walmart US has promoted Steve Bratspies to CMO for US stores effective Oct. 19. He will oversee all merchandise categories across more than 4,500 Walmart stores in the United States, the company said. 

Steve Bratspies, Walmart US CMO

Bratspies most recently served as Walmart’s executive vice president for food where he is credited with overhauling the company’s retail grocery stores with a focus on improving fresh offerings and expanding private-label brand and global sourcing capabilities. Bratspies has held several leadership positions at Walmart since joining the company in 2005. In 2011 he received the Merchandise Excellence Business Unit Leader of the Year award for his focus on local assortment, innovation and price leadership.

“Steve is a true leader and an example of the rich talent that exists within the merchandise organization,” said Greg Foran, president and CEO of Walmart US. “His outstanding merchandising instincts and commitment to innovation and price leadership will challenge the status quo to serve our customers better.”

Walmart also announced that Charles Redfield was named executive vice president of food for Walmart US. Redfield joined Sam’s Club in 1988 as a cashier and worked his way through the ranks into several operational and merchandising leadership roles including CMO at Asda, based in Leeds, United Kingdom. He most recently served as executive vice president of merchandising at Sam’s Club.

Additionally, John Furner was appointed executive vice president, merchandising for Sam’s Club. Furner previously served as chief merchandising and marketing officer at Walmart China, where he is credited for driving significant improvements in buying leverage and reducing organizational complexity.