By Siddharth Cavale
Jan 15 (Reuters) - Walmart said on Thursday that Kathryn McLay will step down as CEO of its Walmart International unit on January 31 but will remain with the company through the first
quarter to help ensure a smooth transition.
She had been CEO of the international business for 2-1/2 years.
McLay's departure comes two months after the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer announced that its CEO of 12 years, Doug McMillon, would be stepping down and succeeded by U.S. division chief John Furner.
Walmart did not name McLay's successor. It said in the statement that her replacement would be named shortly.
McLay, who is Australian, joined Walmart in 2015. She was promoted to CEO of Walmart International, a more than $100 billion business, in August 2023 after successfully leading its warehouse club chain, Sam's Club, as CEO during the pandemic. During her tenure, Sam's Club delivered 12 straight quarters of double‑digit sales growth.
McLay did not leave with any disagreements with the company, a person familiar with the move said. It was not immediately clear whether her departure might portend a change in Walmart's international strategy.
Walmart International conducts business in 18 countries, including China and India, which have been fast-growth markets. In its most recent quarter, Walmart International posted net sales of $33.5 billion, up 10.8% from the year-ago quarter.
"Walmart provided me the ability to make a real difference in the world, and I am truly grateful," McLay said in the statement.
(Reporting by Siddharth Cavale in New York and Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona and Matthew Lewis)
