Eduardo Castro-Wright, vice chairman and CEO of global e-commerce and global sourcing for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., will retire July 1, 2012, the retail chain said today. Wal-Mart says it will name a replacement for Castro-Wright by February, after which he will assist with the transition.
Walmart.com is No. 6 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide.
The retailer recently overhauled its global e-commerce operations. The move diminished Castro-Wright’s responsibilities by giving store operations executives oversight of e-commerce operations in such countries as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Japan. Before the move, e-commerce executives reported to Castro-Wright. The move also involved the exit of two more Wal-Mart ecommerce executives: Raul Vazquez, former CEO of Walmart.com, and Steve Nave, senior vice president and general manager of Walmart.com.
“Eduardo has made many contributions at Wal-Mart, beginning in Mexico and continuing until today,” says Wal-Mart CEO Mike Duke. “He has been a strong advocate for our customers and in every assignment has brought passion and commitment to the job. He has also built talented teams wherever he has led.”
Castro-Wright, 56, joined the retailer in 2001 as president and chief operating officer of Walmart Mexico; in 2003, he won promotion to president and CEO of that business. He then worked as the chain’s chief operating officer before being promoted in 2005 to president and CEO of Walmart U.S. He was named vice chairman in 2008 and assumed his most recent post in August 2010.
The retail chain also is losing another e-commerce executive.
Wan Ling Martello, executive vice president of global e-commerce, emerging markets, has been hired by Nestlé S.A. as the food company’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. She replaces Jim Singh, who will retire on March 31 after 35 years with Nestlé. Martello starts on April 1.
Wal-Mart did not immediately confirm Martello’s departure. Nestlé says she worked for the retail chain from 2005 to 2011. She also was senior vice president, chief finance officer and strategy, for Walmart International.
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