Mike Duke, who yesterday became only the fourth CEO of Wal-Mart stores, plans to keep pushing for ecological sustainability, the International Herald Tribune reports.
Duke, like his predecessor H. Lee Scott Jr., has made clear that efforts such as cutting waste and energy use and requiring suppliers to do the same will continue — even as the company keeps prices low. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reports today that Duke is likely to look abroad to keep the world’s largest retailer growing. Scott becomes chairman of the board’s executive committee.
Duke, a retail veteran who recently led Wal-Mart through a period of rapid international expansion, isn’t expected to by industry observers to take Wal-Mart far from the path established by Scott.
“He’s a good communicator, a hard worker, and his track record at international was very impressive,” said Allen Questrom, the former chief executive of J.C. Penney Corp. and Federated Department Stores Inc., who serves on Wal-Mart’s board of directors. “He is highly regarded by those who have worked for him, not just recently, but years ago. It was not difficult for the board to choose Mike Duke as Lee’s successor.”