阿尔法工场研究院·2025-10-29 00:02Core Viewpoint - The appointment of Liu Peng as the first Chinese president of Sam's Club in China marks a strategic shift for Walmart China, aiming to enhance the brand's trust and member experience while balancing quality and market expansion [5][8][9]. Group 1: Leadership Transition - Liu Peng, previously a senior executive at Alibaba, has a strong background in retail and supply chain management, which Walmart China hopes will drive strategic upgrades for Sam's Club [5][9]. - Prior to Liu, Jane Ewing served as the acting president, focusing on efficiency and standardization, but faced challenges with consumer trust due to quality concerns [6][8]. Group 2: Performance and Challenges - Sam's Club has seen significant growth, with Walmart China's net sales increasing by 30.1% year-on-year in Q2 of fiscal 2025, yet it has also faced food safety incidents and a crisis of trust among members [6][8]. - The shift towards efficiency has led to a perception of declining product quality and uniqueness, prompting calls for a return to a member-first approach [8][9]. Group 3: Strategic Focus Areas - Liu Peng is expected to focus on restructuring the supply chain to enhance product scarcity and uniqueness, moving from experience-based selection to data-driven insights [10][11]. - Optimizing logistics and improving the customer experience are also key objectives, with potential changes in team structure to support these goals [11][14]. Group 4: Team Dynamics and Changes - The introduction of a new team under Liu Peng may facilitate quicker trust-building and strategic execution, addressing the current team's limitations in digital operations and global supply chain management [13][14]. - Internal adjustments may lead to temporary inconsistencies in product quality and service stability during the transition period [14].