BENTONVILLE, Ark. — As executive vice president of consumables for Walmart U.S., Silvia Azrai Kawas leads the omni­merchandising strategy and assortment for the company’s Consumables business, including baby, beauty, health and wellness, household essentials, personal care, and pets businesses.

Under Silvia’s leadership, the team has delivered growth, brought hundreds of new innovative items and brands to customers, and has leveraged technology to improve the customer experience.

As the team focuses on helping customers save money so they can live better, the industry has noticed. Walmart Beauty was recognized for the second year in a row by the leading beauty trade and Walmart was named Health & Wellness Retailer of the Year by another.

Walmart’s Wellness Day, which occurred in January, was not only a traffic driver for the retailer’s health and wellness business, but a vital means of building customer awareness of Walmart’s extensive offerings in the category.

“Part of the Wellness Day experience includes browsing, and even sampling, some of the wide-ranging, innovative items we offer over the counter,” Azrai Kawas noted in a blog post on the company website. “We know the new year is top of mind for families, and our growing assortment reflects creative ways we ensure affordable, high-quality options are available. I’m thrilled to share our new offerings in O-T-C health and wellness with our customers to help them save money and live better.”

Silvia was promoted to executive VP of Consumables last July, taking responsibility for the category’s omnimerchandising strategy and assortment strategy. Prior to that she had been senior VP of merchandising for health and wellness merchandising since February 2022.

Her Walmart career began in 2002 as a marketing manager for Walmart Financial Services, supporting the development of products and services for the financially underserved. By 2007 she had risen to senior group manager, prepaid debit and network branded gift cards, but at the end of 2009 she transitioned to merchandising, taking the position of director of strategy, merchandising innovations. In that role she supported strategy, process and organizational design.

In 2012 she was appointed divisional merchandise manager (DMM) for snacks, and two years later was promoted to VP of adult beverages, later serving as VP of dry grocery. In 2019, Silvia joined the private brands team as VP of private brands for food, including both packaged and fresh food.