Bob Connolly
Bob Connolly retired from Walmart in 2006 where he was Executive Vice-President for both Merchandising and Marketing for nine years. In 2000 Bob was named the first Chairman of the Center for Retailing Excellence at the University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College for Business. In 2005, an endowed scholarship in retailing was established in Bob’s name. Bob also co-authored The Big Middle, published in the Journal of Retailing.
Bob now works both privately and in conjunction with the Center for Retailing Excellence, consulting and advising corporations and business groups worldwide on how to take advantage of trends, business analysis from the customer’s point of view, and the miracles and missteps of branding. In the past, Bob has worked with Disney Corp., International Resources, Inc., Spectra, Unilever, Georgia Pacific, Microsoft, Ben & Jerry’s and Massmart. In addition, Bob serves on the Board of Directors for Husqvarna in Sweden. He travels extensively, giving him a first-person view of the ever-changing world of the customer.