Reliance Retail poaches WalMart executives

Reliance Industries Ltd firm, Reliance Retail is making a top management rejig in its value format and will soon announce appointment of two ex-WalMart executives Rob Cissell and Shawn Gray to lead the operations.

The two expats are expected to take charge from September this year, according to sources.

While Rob Cissell will join the company as the chief executive officer, Shawn Gray will be the chief operations officer of value formats that include food and grocery stores.

Gwyn Sundhagul, who is currently serving as the CEO of the value formats will move to a new role in the company.

"Gwyn will be a key member of the team strengthening the foundation for Reliance's consumer services business," the source said.

When contacted company officials declined to comment on the development.

Rob Cissell was formerly the senior vice president and chief operating officer of WalMart China. He was responsible for store operations, merchandising, marketing and supply chain for all retail and Sam's Club formats in China.

Previously, he has held senior positions in Europe with companies, including Kingfisher plc, Argos, B&Q plc and Comet Group .

Shawn, until recently, was the vice president WalMart China where he was responsible for store operations, new formats and lead integration of new business.

He worked with WalMart for over 19 years, having spent nearly 13 years in China where he led the team that opened and integrated over 330 hypermarkets.

Reliance Retail has over 1,000 stores across India in different categories such as food and grocery; apparels and footwear; IT products, consumer electronics and joint ventures with international brands.