Walmart has announced a major leadership update, naming Chris Nicholas as President and CEO of Walmart International. He steps into the position after serving for two and a half years as the leader of Sam’s Club, the company’s membership-based warehouse retail business.
Sharing the news on LinkedIn, Nicholas wrote, “Today, I’m excited and grateful to begin my role as President & CEO of Walmart International. The future is bright.” Taking charge of Walmart’s global operations, he highlighted the strength of the organisation’s teams, describing the business as being “led by incredible teams” and powered by a “culture of rapid innovation.” He also said he is “energized by the opportunity ahead” and looks forward to travelling across the retailer’s international markets.
Nicholas’ journey in retail began early in the UK, where he started working at the age of 14. His responsibilities included “pricing products, zoning shelves and working in the backroom.” Reflecting on his upbringing, he shared that he “grew up in a place where no one had much money,” which shaped his perspective on the value of affordability in retail. He added, “When retail is at its best, we bring innovation, we bring happiness to people’s lives, and we do it at a great price so people are able to afford what they need to have a good life.”
Since joining Walmart in 2018, Nicholas has progressed rapidly through senior leadership roles. Prior to leading Sam’s Club from September 2023, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Walmart U.S. from 2021 to 2023. He also held Chief Financial Officer roles across both the U.S. and International businesses, along with serving as SVP Deputy CFO for the International division and as a board member of Wal-Mart de Mexico (Walmex). With experience spanning nine countries, Nicholas now returns to the International division to oversee Walmart’s global retail strategy.
