Ohm Takes Reins Of Walmart CE

By Alan Wolf -- TWICE, 10/4/2011

Bentonville, Ark. - Seong Ohm is wasting little time as Walmart's new CE merchandising chief.

Her first major initiative since assuming the role of senior VP/general merchandise manager for entertainment from Gary Severson in August is the rollout of an exclusive $30 prepaid 4G service later this month through T-Mobile. More merchandising announcements are expected as the holiday selling season nears.

Ohm is well-prepared for the Christmas clash, having spent more than five years as Sam's Club's senior VP/general merchandise manager of electronics and office products, and as divisional merchandise manager of electronics. Under her leadership, Sam's Club expanded the number of national branded products, piloted home installation services, and increased the quality of its CE assortment, Walmart told TWICE.

Prior to her current assignment, she was the senior VP of Walmart's global merchandising center for home, hardlines, entertainment and toys, where she was responsible for leading the company's sourcing, packaging and technical operations.

Ohm also served as senior VP of general merchandise and consumables for Walmart Japan/Seiyu, where she focused on transforming the general merchandise business while implementing everyday low pricing (EDLP) across the 386-store chain.

Severson, her longtime predecessor in Walmart CE, was instrumental in upgrading the department from a largely commodity business to one featuring tier-one brands like Apple, LG and Samsung, and better products such as smart, 3D and large-screen LED TVs; an expansive selection of smartphones and home networking gear; and staffed demo stations.

He continues as a senior VP/general merchandise manager, now overseeing sporting goods, hardware and automotive.