Kohl's names former Walmart executive Ryan Waymire as chief merchant

Kohl's has appointed Ryan Waymire as its new chief merchant, effective September 28. Waymire, a former senior vice president of fashion at Walmart, will report to CEO Michael Bender and replace Nick Jones.

Waymire brings 25 years of retail experience, having held merchandising roles at Walmart, Amazon, Target, Wayfair, and FabFitFun. In his new role, he will oversee the company's entire merchandise strategy, including buying, product design, sourcing, and omnichannel merchandising.

The leadership change comes as Kohl's attempts to stabilize its sales. While the retailer reported slowing sales declines in its second-quarter financial results, it continues to face challenges in women's apparel and beauty. The company has recently focused on revamping private labels, such as Tek Gear, and simplifying in-store shopping by prioritizing better-selling brands.