MAM
Chris Nicholas takes charge as CEO of Walmart International
MUMBAI: The trolley just got bigger. After steering one of the world’s most influential membership retailers, Chris Nicholas is now taking the global aisle. Chris Nicholas has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Walmart International, succeeding Kathryn McLay. The move marks a significant leadership shift as Walmart sharpens its international ambitions across diverse markets.
Announcing the transition, Nicholas struck an upbeat note, pointing to the strength of Walmart’s global teams and its culture of rapid innovation. “We have strong businesses led by incredible teams across our markets, a culture of rapid innovation, and a timeless purpose to help people save money and live better,” he said, adding that he was eager to “shape the future of global retail together” and get “on the road”.
Nicholas arrives with deep institutional knowledge. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of Sam’s Club, where he led the membership-based retailer through a period of reinvention. Under his watch, Sam’s Club doubled down on exclusive value, convenience and a more integrated omnichannel ecosystem, redefining how members shop across physical and digital touchpoints.
Before that, Nicholas was executive vice president and chief operating officer of Walmart U.S., overseeing store operations and the supply chain. His remit spanned strategy, innovation, automation, distribution and fulfilment centres, last-mile delivery and real estate, a portfolio that put him at the operational heart of the retailer.
Nicholas first joined Walmart in 2018 as deputy chief financial officer, later becoming CFO of Walmart International and then CFO of Walmart U.S. That financial grounding is matched by a long global retail career: over two decades across nine countries, with senior leadership roles at Tesco, The Salling Group and Coles Group, where he played a role in major transformation across Australia’s supermarket sector.
Academically, Nicholas holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Management Science from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology and is a Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA).
With experience that spans finance, operations and global transformation, Nicholas now takes charge of Walmart’s international businesses at a time when scale, speed and local relevance matter more than ever. For Walmart, it’s a familiar leader, just operating on a much bigger map.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
