Just after announcing that Kohl’s Chief Marketing Officer was exiting and that the company was combining marketing and digital under Arianne Parisi, Kohl’s has announced that Walmart’s former SVP of Fashion Ryan M. Waymire will succeed Nick Jones as Chief Merchandising Officer as of Sept. 28.
Waymire has a track record of transforming merchandise strategy at retailers such as Walmart, Target and Amazon over 25 years, according to a news release. At Wisconsin-based Kohl’s, Waymire will oversee the retailer’s merchandising functions, including buying, omnichannel merchandising, product design and development, allocation and planning and sourcing. Waymire will report to CEO Michael J. Bender.
“I am thrilled to have Ryan join the team. As we intentionally build our business for the future, Ryan will take the next step with our merchandising teams in modernizing our overall product offering — with customers at the center of all decisions,” Bender said in a statement. “Ryan has deep experience in understanding how to refresh and drive a merchandise strategy for a broad U.S. customer base, and he has an innovative way of integrating meaningful collaborations and social media influencers into product stories. He is an energetic and inspirational leader, with strong partner relationships and I know he will be an excellent addition to our senior leadership team. He will hit the ground running with our teams.”
Before joining Walmart, Waymire was GM, Brand President for BirchLane at Wayfair, SVP of Merchandising and Brand Partnerships at FabFitFun and managed apparel and brand partnership at Amazon. Before that, he served for nearly a decade at Target in progressive buying, sourcing and merchandising roles. Waymire has an MBA from Saint Louis University.
“I’m excited to join Kohl’s at a transformational moment for the company and for retail,” Waymire said in a statement. “Throughout my career, I’ve focused on helping retailers and brands deliver what customers want and need while also inspiring them with stylish, high-quality products that bring joy to their lives. I look forward to helping shape Kohl’s merchandising strategy and delivering differentiated products and experiences that surprise and delight customers across the country.”
Bender thanked previous Chief Merchant Nick Jones, who joined Kohl’s in 2023.
“Nick has played a key leadership role in driving our merchandise strategy, curating our national and private brand portfolio and improving processes in the way we work,” Bender said. “I want to thank Nick for his leadership and contributions to Kohl’s. We wish him all the best in his next chapter.”
