Walmart's first: Woman to head a business unit

Walmart Stores Inc on Friday named Rosalind Brewer as president and chief executive of its Sam's Club warehouse retail chain, marking the first time that the world's largest retailer will have a woman and an African-American leading one of its three business units.

Brewer, 49, will replace Brian Cornell on February 1, Walmart said. She most recently ran Walmart US operations on the East Coast. Walmart also promoted two other women on Friday, naming Gisel Ruiz to the role of Walmart US chief operating officer and Karenann Terrell as chief information officer.

The appointments come after Walmart last year won a historic US Supreme Court decision when the court rejected a nationwide class-action lawsuit brought by women who alleged that they were denied raises and promotions because of their gender. Some are regrouping to file smaller lawsuits.