Kohl’s has named retail executive Ryan Waymire as its new chief merchandising officer as the department store chain looks to strengthen and modernise its product strategy.
Waymire will take up the position on September 28 and report directly to Kohl’s CEO Michael Bender. In his new role, he will oversee the company’s overall merchandise strategy and a wide range of functions connected to how products are selected, developed and brought to customers.
His responsibilities will include buying, omnichannel merchandising, product design and development, sourcing, allocation and planning, as well as the retailer’s broader product portfolio strategy.
The appointment brings an experienced retail executive to Kohl’s senior leadership team at an important time for the company.
Waymire has spent around 25 years working with some of the biggest names in American retail and e-commerce. His previous experience includes senior roles at Walmart, Wayfair, FabFitFun, Amazon and Target.
Most recently, he served as senior vice president of fashion at Walmart U.S., where he was involved in one of the country’s largest mass-market retail businesses.
Before joining Walmart, Waymire worked as general manager and brand president of Birch Lane, a Wayfair-owned home furnishings brand. His earlier experience also includes serving as senior vice president of merchandising and brand partnerships at FabFitFun, along with roles involving apparel and brand partnerships at Amazon.
Focus on Products and Customers
Michael Bender said Waymire’s experience would be valuable as Kohl’s works to build its business for the future.
According to Bender, the company wants to continue updating its merchandise offering while keeping customer preferences at the centre of decision-making.
Waymire’s experience across traditional retail, e-commerce, fashion and brand partnerships could also prove particularly useful for Kohl’s as shopping habits continue to change.
Bender highlighted Waymire’s ability to refresh merchandise strategies and his experience working with collaborations and social media influencers to create stronger product stories.
That could signal a greater focus on partnerships and more targeted merchandise collections at Kohl’s, especially as retailers increasingly compete not only on price but also on product discovery and brand relevance.
Replacing Nick Jones
Waymire will replace Nick Jones, who had served as Kohl’s chief merchandising officer since 2023.
The company did not disclose the reason for Jones’ departure.
Changes at the merchandising level are closely watched in department store retail because product selection remains one of the biggest factors influencing whether customers choose to visit stores or shop online.
A chief merchandising officer can have a direct impact on what customers see on shelves, which brands a retailer brings in, how products are priced and how different categories are prioritised.
Kohl’s Faces a Challenging Retail Environment
The leadership appointment comes after Kohl’s recently reported quarterly revenue of $3.32 billion, slightly below analysts’ expectations of $3.35 billion.
The company faced softer demand in categories including women’s clothing and skincare products.
For a department store such as Kohl’s, merchandise strategy becomes particularly important when consumer spending is uneven. Retailers need to decide which categories deserve more investment, which products need to be refreshed and how to create enough differentiation to encourage customers to return.
Waymire’s experience across companies such as Walmart, Amazon and Wayfair gives him exposure to several very different retail models. That experience could be relevant for Kohl’s as the company continues to balance its physical stores with the growing importance of digital shopping.
Why the Appointment Matters
The merchandising role is one of the most influential positions inside a department store business. While marketing can bring customers to a retailer, the merchandise itself ultimately plays a major role in determining whether those customers make a purchase and return again.
Waymire’s background in fashion, e-commerce, brand partnerships and large-scale retail may allow Kohl’s to look at its product offering from several different perspectives.
His appointment also comes at a time when many retailers are relying more heavily on exclusive collections and partnerships to give customers something they cannot easily find elsewhere. Influencer collaborations and limited-edition product launches have become increasingly important tools for retailers trying to generate attention, particularly among younger shoppers.
For Kohl’s, Waymire’s arrival represents more than a routine leadership change. His experience suggests the company is looking for someone who understands both the scale of traditional retail and the changing ways customers discover and buy products.
The results of that strategy will likely become clearer over the coming seasons as Kohl’s updates its merchandise mix under its new chief merchandising officer.
