Wal-Mart appoints new head of China retail ops
SHANGHAI (XFN-ASIA) – Ed Chan has been appointed head of Wal-Mart Stores Inc”s China retail operations business, succeeding Joe Hatfield, the company said in a statement.
Chan, who will be president and chief executive of Wal-Mart China, comes to the company from Dairy Farm Group where he was regional director of North Asia, it said.
He will join Wal-Mart next month and take over leadership of the China retail operations in February, the company said.
Wal-Mart China now has 66 retail units in 34 cities employing 36,000 associates.
It has been widely reported that the company is seeking to acquire Taiwan-owned retailer Trust-Mart, although the companies have not yet commented on such a deal.
Such an acquisition would propel the US retailer ahead of France”s Carrefour as the largest foreign-owned retail chain
In the statement Wal-Mart vice chairman Michael Duke said Chan would be tasked with expanding the company”s China business.
“Ed brings extensive retail experience that will help us expand our growth momentum in this important market,” said Duke.