NEW YORK, April 15 (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc's Sam's Club division has named Linda Hefner, who currently oversees the home division in its namesake U.S. discount stores, to be its new head of merchandising.
Sam's Club said Hefner, in her role as executive vice president of merchandising and replenishment, will oversee its merchandising strategy, product development and sourcing.
She will report to Brian Cornell, who was named president and chief executive officer of Sam's Club in March. Hefner is taking over from Greg Spragg, who retired last year and the appointment is effective May 15.
Hefner, a former Kraft Foods executive, was hired in May of 2007 to help oversee the struggling home decor division at Wal-Mart's U.S. discount stores.
Under her leadership, Wal-Mart has focused on stocking more exclusive brands, such as Canopy and Better Homes & Gardens, while renovating its home departments and adding lower fixtures, allowing a customer to survey the entire department while standing in the aisle.
Last week, Wal-Mart reported a 1.4 percent rise in March sales at U.S stores open at least a year and said sales in its home department, which includes bedding and furniture, were strong.
Hefner's successor will be named at later date, the company said.
(Reporting by Nicole Maestri; Editing by Andre Grenon) See http://blogs.reuters.com/category/themes/shop-talk/ for 'Shop Talk' -- Reuters' retail and consumer blog. Keywords: WALMART/SAMSCLUB (nicole.maestri@thomsonreuters.com, +1 646 223-6173; Reuters Messaging: nicole.maestri.reuters.com@reuters.net;) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
Sam's Club said Hefner, in her role as executive vice president of merchandising and replenishment, will oversee its merchandising strategy, product development and sourcing.
She will report to Brian Cornell, who was named president and chief executive officer of Sam's Club in March. Hefner is taking over from Greg Spragg, who retired last year and the appointment is effective May 15.
Hefner, a former Kraft Foods executive, was hired in May of 2007 to help oversee the struggling home decor division at Wal-Mart's U.S. discount stores.
Under her leadership, Wal-Mart has focused on stocking more exclusive brands, such as Canopy and Better Homes & Gardens, while renovating its home departments and adding lower fixtures, allowing a customer to survey the entire department while standing in the aisle.
Last week, Wal-Mart reported a 1.4 percent rise in March sales at U.S stores open at least a year and said sales in its home department, which includes bedding and furniture, were strong.
Hefner's successor will be named at later date, the company said.
(Reporting by Nicole Maestri; Editing by Andre Grenon) See http://blogs.reuters.com/category/themes/shop-talk/ for 'Shop Talk' -- Reuters' retail and consumer blog. Keywords: WALMART/SAMSCLUB (nicole.maestri@thomsonreuters.com, +1 646 223-6173; Reuters Messaging: nicole.maestri.reuters.com@reuters.net;) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
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