Is Walmart’s Chief Merchandiser Leaving?

Is Walmart’s Chief Merchandising Officer leaving because he’s unhappy with a management restructuring? The Wall Street Journal seems to think he might.

Walmart Chief Merchandising Officer Duncan Mac Naughton “is expected to announce his departure from the retailer just days before the annual Thanksgiving shopping frenzy known as Black Friday,” the story said.

Although the piece didn’t specify a reason for the departure, it pointed out two details. First, Mac Naughton “has struggled to boost sales during two straight years of declining shopper traffic.” Secondly, Mac Naughton was considered for Walmart’s CEO slot (good) but was not picked (bad) and Greg Foran was appointed CEO. “Earlier this week, the company changed the reporting structure of the marketing division so the chief marketing officer would report directly to Mr. Foran, rather than to Mr. Mac Naughton.”

At especially large corporations, this pattern is familiar. When a senior exec is publicly considered—but ultimately rejected—as CEO, they often see the job as a deadend and must leave for another company to get back on the CEO track. Vying for the CEO slot is like getting engaged. Once engaged, most relationships either mutually promote to marriage or the relationship terminates. It’s very rare to go back to the way things were.