The executive change is part of a broader management reshuffle under CEO John Furner as Walmart pushes a technology-focused strategy and adjusts leadership across its U.S. and international operations.
Walmart is replacing Kieran Shanahan as chief operating officer of its U.S. operations with Kyle Kinnard, the current COO of Walmart International, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters. Kinnard has spent more than 25 years at Walmart and has held several senior roles, including executive vice president of health and wellness for Walmart U.S. The move adds to a wider management overhaul under CEO John Furner, following the May departures of Sam's Club COO Tom Ward and U.S. store operations chief Cedric Clark, as well as the appointments of David Guggina and Chris Nicholas as CEOs of Walmart's domestic and international operations, respectively. Walmart also promoted Juan Galarraga to oversee its international businesses in Latin America. The changes come as Walmart emphasizes technology, marketplace and delivery expansion, and efforts to attract higher-income shoppers, while navigating softer consumer spending after cutting 1,000 roles in May and reiterating conservative annual sales and profit targets.