Economy
14 May
This Week in Commerce: Walmart + Target earnings, US retail sales
Take a look at the calendar for May 15-19, 2023.

Walmart's revamped app. (Courtesy photo)
Take a look at the calendar for May 15-19, 2023.
Welcome to a new week. Retailers take center stage in the ever-present effort to paint the most up-to-date picture of consumer demand. Industry heavyweights such as Walmart, Target and Home Depot report earnings, while the U.S. Commerce Department reports total retail sales for April. Plus, industry leaders gather at a Goldman Sachs forum, and in New Orleans for Future Forward.
Here’s a look at the calendar:
Goldman Sachs Global Staples Forum: Leading CPG brands broadcast updates on strategy and sales outlook for 2023 to top investors. (Tues., May 16)
Future Forward: Path to Purchase Institute presents a three-day event with a look at the latest shopper behavior and retail trends across in-store and ecommerce. (May 16-18, New Orleans)
Retail sales: The U.S. Commerce Department reports total sales for April 2023 at retailers across a wide cross-section of consumer categories, including ecommerce. This is a broad-based indicator of consumer demand. (Tues., May 16, 8:30 a.m.)
Fed Chair speaks: Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell will take part in a panel discussion on monetary policy. Observers will be looking for hints of the Fed’s next move on interest rates in the battle to curb inflation. Officials have indicated that pausing rate hikes is on the table. (Fri., May 19, 11 a.m.)
Tues., May 14: Home Depot
Wed., May 15: Target, TJX
Thurs., May 16: Walmart, Dole, Farfetch, Bath & Body Works
Friday, May 17: Foot Locker
On the Move has the latest hiring update from The Vitamin Shoppe and At Home.
Heidi O’Neill has a new role at Nike. (Courtesy photo)
This week, Unilever, Nike and BigCommerce are seeing major transitions in the executive ranks. Meanwhile, The Vitamin Shoppe named a permanent CEO, and At Home brought on a longtime Walmart executive as president.
Conny Braams. (Courtesy photo)
Consumer goods giant Unilever announced key changes in top leadership roles. These include:
Graeme Pitkethly will retire as chief financial officer, effective at the end of May 2024. The board is set to launch a formal search for his successor. Pitkethly has been with Unilever for 21 years.
Conny Braams, who serves as chief digital and commercial officer, will leave the company, effective August 2023. Braams previously held senior management roles including Executive Vice President (EVP) of Middle Europe; and EVP Foodsolutions Asia, Africa and Middle East.
Craig Williams. (Courtesy photo)
Nike, Inc. announced several key leadership changes focused on consumer-led growth and marketplace. They are as follows:
Heidi O’Neill who is currently president of consumer and marketplace, will become president of consumer, product and brand.
Craig Williams, who is currently president of the Jordan Brand, will become president of geographies and marketplace at Nike, Inc.
Matthew Friend, EVP and Chief Financial Officer at NIKE, Inc., will expand responsibilities to include procurement, global places and services and demand and supply management.
Jared Carver will serve as CEO of Converse. Over the last four years, he served as VP/GM of North America for Converse.
Scott Uzzell, the previous CEO of Converse, transitioned to a new role as VP/GM, North America for Nike, Inc.
“These shifts will allow us to streamline our focus across product, brand storytelling and marketplace, mining deep consumer insights to deliver breakthrough innovation and engagement, while building long-term growth and profitability,” said Nike CEO John Donahoe, in a statement.
Lee Wright. (Courtesy photo)
Lee A. Wright was named CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe on a permanent basis, after serving as interim CEO since January 2023. Wright previously served as Chief Commercial Officer of Franchise Group and in executive roles at Conn’s.
Muriel Gonzalez was promoted to president of the retailer, after serving as EVP and chief merchandising and marketing officer of The Vitamin Shoppe since August 2020.
BigCommerce announced the following leadership roles:
Daniel Lentz was promoted to chief financial officer of BigCommerce, effective July 1. He previously served as SVP of finance and investor relations. Lentz will succeed CFO Robert Alvarez, who is retiring after a 12-year stint as CFO.
Chuck Cassidy was promoted to general counsel, effective June 2. Cassidy previously served as VP and associate general counsel. He will succeed Jeff Mengoli, who is retiring.
Hubert Ban was named chief accounting officer. He will replace Vice President of Accounting and Principal Accounting Officer Thomas Aylor, who departed the ecommerce platform on May 19.
Jeff Evans. (Courtesy photo)
Jeff Evans was named president and chief merchandising officer of At Home, the home goods retailer.
Evans previously served as EVP of entertainment, toys and seasonal at Walmart, managing the largest general merchandise business for the retailer. He rose to the position after serving in executive roles at Walmart US and Sam’s Club.