What:  Kohl’s is bringing in Ryan Waymire to modernise merchandising, simplify assortments and strengthen customer-focused product strategy.

Why it is important: : The appointment shows how merchandising leadership, assortment clarity and omnichannel execution are becoming central to department store turnarounds.

Kohl’s has appointed Ryan M. Waymire, Walmart’s senior vice president of fashion, as chief merchandising officer, effective 28 September. He will report to CEO Michael J. Bender and replaces Nick Jones, who had led merchandising since 2023 and helped implement changes aimed at reversing negative sales trends. Waymire brings 25 years of experience across Walmart, Amazon, Target, Wayfair and FabFitFun. At Kohl’s, he will oversee merchandise strategy, buying, omnichannel merchandising, product design and development, allocation, planning, sourcing and portfolio strategy. Bender said Waymire’s experience with broad U.S. customers, collaborations and social media-driven product stories will help modernise Kohl’s offer. The appointment comes as Kohl’s turnaround shows early signs of progress but remains incomplete. Recent initiatives include a revamped back-to-school presentation, stronger focus on Nike and Levi’s, opening-price private brands, thousands of items under $25, clearer signage, more mannequins and simplified merchandising built around fewer, better-selling brands in greater depth. Women’s apparel and beauty remain weak.

IADS Notes:  Kohl’s appointment of Ryan Waymire as chief merchandising officer fits a broader turnaround effort centred on merchandising discipline, inventory control and clearer customer propositions. In September 2026, WWD reported that Waymire will oversee buying, omnichannel merchandising, product design, allocation, planning, sourcing and portfolio strategy, bringing experience from Walmart, Amazon and Target. WWD’s June 2026 coverage of Kohl’s first-quarter progress showed that sales declines were narrowing as proprietary brand growth, inventory optimisation, expense discipline and customer engagement improved performance. Supply Chain Dive reported in April 2026 that Kohl’s had refined inventory planning, replenishment and allocation to improve in-stock levels and create a more consistent shopping experience. Reuters’ March 2026 coverage of Michael Bender’s reset placed the turnaround within broader operational improvements, store modernisation and changing shopping behaviour. WWD’s August 2025 analysis showed that margin gains, cost controls, proprietary brands, inventory management, Sephora and streamlined assortments were already central to Kohl’s recovery, even as sales continued to decline. 

Kohl’s hires former Walmart fashion exec as its new Chief Merchant