Leadership Moves: Nordstrom Names CTO, Walmart Exec Steps Down, SpartanNash Taps Merchandising Expert
Several major retailers have made significant leadership moves in the last week.
Nordstrom is investing in its technology, data, and analytics functions, tapping Jason Morris as its chief technology and information officer. Meanwhile, at Walmart and SpartanNash, the merchandising oversight is seeing some changes.
Walmart’s merchandising officer, Charles Redfield, is stepping down, while SpartanNash is investing in analytics within the space by naming Arpen Shah to its leadership team.
Jason Morris - Nordstrom
In his new role, Morris will use his more than 25 years of tech experience across the retail industry to oversee the company’s data science and analytics strategy.
"I have long admired Nordstrom as a retail leader in redefining the importance of digital," said Morris in a statement. "I am excited to join this talented technology team to continue enhancing Nordstrom's digital capabilities and support the company's ongoing focus on using technology to serve customers in new and better ways."
Morris will take on the role beginning May 1, coming from Walmart where he led global enterprise technology as the company’s SVP of enterprise business services. Prior to that, he worked across Walmart’s retail business, within merchandising, replenishment, supplier management, real estate, and global compliance.
He also led the strategy, system development, and implementation of hardware and software for Walmart’s more than 10,000 global locations in his role as VP of customer-facing technology.
"Jason has a wealth of experience leading large, global teams to create and implement best-in-class retail technology solutions," said Erik Nordstrom, chief executive officer of Nordstrom, Inc., in a statement. "He will play a critical role as we continue to advance our Closer to You market strategy, and we look forward to welcoming him to the team.”
Charles Redfield - Walmart
Walmart’s U.S. merchandising officer Charles Redfield is stepping down, per an internal memo from the company. Redfield has been in the role for just over a year and will move to an advisory role supporting Walmart’s U.S. business beginning May 1. A successor has not yet been named.
[Read more: Walmart Closing Four Chicago Stores]
According to Walmart president and CEO John Furner’s memo, Redfield played a major role in lowering product prices amid high inflation by working with suppliers. Redfield has been with the company for 32 years, beginning his career as a cashier at Sam’s Club and having led the U.S. food and grocery business for Walmart before taking on the current position.
Arpen Shah - SpartanNash
Grocery retailer SpartanNash named Arpen Shah its vice president of merchandising strategy and analytics. In the role, Shah will oversee promotional planning, shelf technology, category management, and merchandising data analytics for the company.
Shah was previously senior director, merchandising enablement at Essendant, a wholesale distributor. Prior to Essendant, Shah worked with US Foods, United Stationers, and Canon.
"Arpen is an astute and people-first merchandising executive who has a strong background in category management and analytics," said SpartanNash SVP, chief merchandising officer Bennett Morgan, in a statement. "His expertise and relentless innovative drive will accelerate our customer-led merchandising transformation."
