RetailSails

RetailSails has learned today that Lisa Rhodes, former Chief Merchandising Officer from Duluth based Maurices, is moving back to New York to become Senior V.P. of Apparel for Walmart in their New York office.

Walmart currently generates about 11% of their U.S. business from apparel, but has never really gained traction in the fashion apparel business. Rhodes is a well respected merchant with a strong background in middle of the road, well priced, wearable fashion, with strong contacts both with domestic vendors and Asian manufacturers. Her credentials, accomplishments and expertise are clearly much more impressive than any previous people that Walmart has chosen to fill this large void in apparel.

We believe that Rhodes would not make this move without being given sufficient and specific power over decision making, and further that this can be a game changer for the retailer with a huge potential impact on revenue.