After helping Tesco grow its non-food business, Simon Belsham is heading to Walmart’s Jet.com. The Tesco veteran will work to boost the retailer’s online grocery business as the company’s new president, CNBC reported.
“There are so many ways technology can change retail and be a force for good in our lives,” Belsham said in a statement. “In my view, there is no business better positioned to take advantage of the opportunity ahead than the combination of Walmart and Jet.”
Belsham’s arrival at Jet.com comes as Walmart is increasingly focused on its online grocery services as it seeks to compete with Whole Foods, Target and Kroger. Recently, Walmart’s eCommerce growth has slowed, causing analysts and investors to be disappointed with Jet.com.
Belsham replaces Liza Landsman, who is becoming an investor at New Enterprise Associates (NEA). A press release announcing Landsman’s new role explained that she will be focusing on “consumer technology and commerce” and will be based in the company’s New York City office.
“I am thrilled to be joining NEA in the coming months and look forward to working across the firm’s portfolio as part of one of the world’s largest venture capital firms,” said Landsman. “I have centered my career around helping brands leverage data and insights to best serve the consumer, and I am excited to work with NEA and its partners to continue fostering innovative ideas and strategies for companies throughout their life cycle.”
The move comes less than 18 months after Walmart acquired Jet.com for $3 billion. Before becoming Jet’s president in January 2017, Landsman was its chief customer officer. Prior to that, she was the chief marketing officer at E*TRADE.
During her time at Jet.com, Landsman helped to launch the brand online and via mobile, growing the site from a small startup to an eCommerce force with a $1 billion run rate in gross merchandise value in less than one year.
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