Walmart Promotes Fashion Industry Vet to Lead Apparel Team

Walmart announced Friday it’s promoting Denise Incandela to lead its apparel team as EVP of Apparel and Private Brands. First reported by WWD, Incandela moves up from SVP of Walmart’s women’s group, elevated and online brands.

In her new role, Icandela will be responsible for overseeing Walmart’s apparel offerings in-store and online. She will also be leading private brands for all general merchandising across the retailer’s categories such as entertainment, toys, seasonal, home, and hardlines.

Incandela has been in the apparel industry for over 20 years, working her way through the ranks at fashion brands such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Ralph Lauren, as well as working as CEO of footwear brand Aerosoles. In her most recent role leading Walmart’s women’s group, Incandela saw an increased expansion of Walmart’s apparel offerings and saw collaborations with celebrities such as Sofia Vergara and the launching of an original line, Free Assembly, in September 2020.

“Denise is an experienced retailer with incredibly deep fashion and apparel expertise, having over 20 years growing and transforming retail brands,” Scott McCall, Walmart’s EVP, chief merchandising officer, said in an internal memo to staff on Friday “She’s been recognized across the industry for her innovation and vision, leadership of teams and delivering results.”

Walmart has been stepping up its apparel presence online since Incandela joined the company.In the past few years, she helped bring e-commerce fashion brands to Walmart, such as Bonobos in 2017, and Eloquii in 2018.

“I’m thrilled to be leading apparel and private brands for Walmart,” Incandela said in a statement Friday. “Since joining the company, I’ve been focused on establishing Walmart as a destination for fashion — a place where customers can discover quality, on-trend fashion no matter their style or budget. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to expand our fashion assortment and bring new and existing customers hundreds more national brands and exclusive, elevated brands at an incredible value.