In a sign that the company recognizes the need for change, Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) has brought in former Kraft (NYSE: KFT) executive Linda Hefner to try to turnaround its home decor business, which has been sputtering for awhile now. According to Ms. Hefner's biography on the Kraft Foods website, she led "the development of Kraft's corporate business strategy including merger and acquisition activities around the world" and was CEO of Sara Lee's (NYSE: SLE) Underwear, Socks and Latin America Group.
While her track record looks impressive, I have to wonder if this hiring is more of the same that hasn't worked. Rather than bringing in an expert in the home decor business, Wal-Mart has brought in someone with an extensive background in retail but no experience, as far I can tell, in home decor.
Last week, I wondered whether Wal-Mart should try to team up with Pier 1 Imports. While that might not be realistic, the company's solution to its home decor woes probably doesn't involve an executive with experience selling underwear.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-04-2007 @ 2:52PM
Fran Pipkin said...
Walmart should look outside of the company to run any of it's lines because most of them SUCK. The person buying for the clothing lines should be slapped for indecent taste. Kmart clothes looks alot better and are better priced than those ugly things on Walmarts racks. Adding someone that knows zip about home decor is another example of the company saving a buck. Adding Pier 1 would be some improvement. At least they are experienced.
7-13-2007 @ 3:32PM
Tracy said...
From China :)
Tracy
http://tilenet.net
7-27-2007 @ 8:05PM
Geneva said...
Wal-mart use to be my favorite for shopping. It lost mt business when they let the Lay-away department close down. Now my store is Big K-Mart. Their clothes are a better taste to me. thank you P. S. bring back the Lay-away plan.
7-28-2007 @ 11:17AM
Rene said...
I am sure this is another way to improve customer relations. Just like that move to stop handeling sewing and fabric supplies. Especially when the market has shown that sewing and quilting have become a real activity with lots of women, I know there was a study done recently and the up side was that quilter spend several billion on fabric and supplies each year. But it is better to get rid of this department as it has to set on the shelf too long! What where you thinking Wal Mart !
7-28-2007 @ 11:48AM
Linda Lowman said...
I am another woman PO'd at Wal-Mart for removing their fabric line and the majority of crafts in general. I have to go 75 miles from my home to find things I need for projects. I love to quilt and make home made cards ane most of all scrapbooking. Its a lovely and relaxing addiction! Untill you come up with an idea that you lack components for completion of that idea, then it's just that an idea not a project! Come on Wal-Mart you claim you didn't make enough profits from your fabric department. {I'm sure the difference is made up in every other department!} I'd love to see the actual numbers. Especially when I know how much I've spent myself! Come ON!
PLEASE add the fabric line back to your stores!
I thought Wal-Mart was all about the customer, HA! I know now it's the almighty dollar again and always will be. Thank goodness for the UPS man and the internet!
7-28-2007 @ 5:52PM
wanda said...
wal-marts is a good store but with the lay-away out there is going to be a lot of people during the holiday season going to big kmarts to do their lay-away like me cause I am on a limited budget and I cant afford to spend a lot of money at once.and I cant get a store card cause I dont have the credit for it. so wal mart get your head together and bring back the layaway . the lay-away dept was so nice unlike the big kmart they suck at customer service in their stores in tn.