Wal-Mart Stores has decided to restucture its global e-commerce operations in the wake of the departure of two senior executives.
Raul Vazquez, who leads Wal-Mart’s e-commerce divisions in its “developed markets”, and Steve Nave, who heads walmart.com in the US, have decided to leave the company.
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Their departures come over 18 months after Wal-Mart set up a dedicated online division, Global.com, to drive its expansion online.
Since then, Wal-Mart has acquired Kosmix, a company that analyses social media, and bought a minority stake in Chinese online retailer Yihaodian.
In a memo sent to employees on Friday (12 August), Wal-Mart said after the departures of Vazquez and Nave and the the first year of its e-commerce unit, it had decided to “adjust” its online division.
In Wal-Mart’s developed markets – the US, Canada, the UK and Japan – the heads of the retailer’s local e-commerce operations would report to the store organisations in the country.
“In these markets, our brands, as well as our bricks-and-mortar presence, is well-established, and our customer is demanding continuity between both channels – a seamless experience as she shops in her store and online – comparing prices, assortment and availability,” the memo read.
In China, Latin America and India, Wal-Mart’s global e-commerce unit will continue to run the local online operations.
“We have a tremendous opportunity and latitude to lead the way in creating a new retail experience for our customers in these markets because our brand and physical presence are still in their early growth stages,” Wal-Mart said.
The retailer, meanwhile, said Joel Anderson, senior vice president for its stores in the Northern Plains region in the US, will become president of walmart.com – US.
