Carol Spieckerman

Wal-Mart Reorganizes U.S. Operations

February 1, 2010

FROM RETAILWIRE:
Wal-Mart Stores is consolidating some of its operations, while dividing the country into three regions with separate presidents. The overhaul is expected to help the retailer on several fronts. What do you make of Wal-Mart's U.S. reorganization?      [more...]

The noted organizational changes along with Walmart's announcement that Sam's in-store demos will be managed by a single third party provider (Shopper Events) speak to Walmart's ongoing commitment to fostering a more nimble and cross-functional organization globally, online, at HQ, and in-store. It is the next turn of the screw as Walmart fulfills its "ten words" promise which you may remember breaks down into three separate mantras that guide Marketing ("Save money. Live better"), Merchandising ("win, play, show") and Operations ("fast, friendly, clean"). Teed up by Mike Duke and followed by separate cross-referenced announcements from Bill Simon, John Fleming and Eduardo Castro Wright, it all came off as a symphony of synergy that positions Walmart as the author of a larger narrative while others scramble to plug holes.

The recently-announced series of changes also further balance the previously lopsided Bentonville-centric weight that had Walmart lumbering in the (distant-in-retail-time) past. Finally, Walmart's willingness to vet and engage third parties to execute this larger vision (Shopper Events, Li & Fung) is yet another step toward shedding its old insular reputation.

Pretty agile for a battleship!