Walmart Inc. has named veteran executive Latriece Watkins as the new President and CEO of Sam’s Club U.S., in a leadership overhaul designed to sharpen the wholesale retailer’s competitive edge and accelerate growth.
The appointments take effect Feb. 1, 2026, as part of a broader executive restructuring at the world’s largest retailer.
Watkins, a 20-plus-year Walmart veteran, most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer of Walmart U.S. and will now lead Sam’s Club, Walmart’s membership-based wholesale division.
Her career at the retail giant began in 1997 as an intern in the real estate division, and she has since held numerous leadership roles across merchandising, store operations, human resources and enterprise strategy.
At Sam’s Club, Watkins now assumes her most prominent role yet, tasked with enhancing the club’s private-label offerings and competitive positioning, particularly against Costco, a dominant player in the membership retail sector. Industry watchers note that her deep merchandising insight — developed while reshaping Walmart’s product assortment strategy — could prove pivotal in attracting both core members and higher-earning shoppers.
Watkins’s appointment also contributes to the rare representation of Black women in the upper echelons of global retail leadership.
According to industry data, Black women have historically been underrepresented in executive roles across the retail and goods sectors, accounting for a small fraction of C-suite positions. Her elevation underscores ongoing dialogues about diversity and inclusion in corporate governance at major global companies.
The leadership shakeup coincides with a broader executive reorganisation announced by Walmart, which also sees David Guggina named President and CEO of Walmart U.S. and Chris Nicholas appointed President and CEO of Walmart International. These changes are aimed at unifying and strengthening Walmart’s omnichannel strategy as artificial intelligence, supply chain innovation and digital experiences reshape the global retail landscape.
As head of Sam’s Club, Watkins will oversee the retailer’s operations in the U.S., a $100-plus billion segment of Walmart’s business that offers bulk-purchase goods to millions of members nationwide.
With her extensive background and institutional experience, the new CEO aims to build on Sam’s Club’s legacy while driving innovation and value for consumers in an increasingly competitive market.
