Greg Foran Woolworths Walmart

Walmart has announced Greg Foran will step into the role of CEO of its Chinese operations on 1 March.

Foran moves into the seat after it was vacated in October last year by Ed Chan, who stepped down over a series of food labelling scandals that forced Walmart to close a dozen stores in China.

He will replace Walmart Asia’s chief Scott Price, who has been acting as interim head of the retailer’s Chinese operations since Chan’s departure.

Foran has been serving as the senior vice president of Walmart International since October, after resigning from his position as director of food, liquor and petrol at Australian retailer Woolworths in August.

China has been a challenging market for Walmart, which saw the departure last year of Senior Vice President of Human Resources Clara Wong as well as Chan.

The retailer has also struggled with a string of food labelling and safety violations over the last half-dozen years, and fierce competition from both foreign and local retail chains.

Walmart currently has more than 370 stores across China.