Press Release

BJ’s Wholesale Club Chairman and CEO Elected Chair of NRF Board of Directors

For immediate release
January 11, 2025

“Bob has a longstanding history and personal involvement with NRF, including serving as past chair of the finance executive committee. He leads a company that is experiencing rapid growth and expansion, and his experience and expertise will be invaluable as the retail industry continues to evolve and innovate at a rapid pace.”

NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay

WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation today announced BJ’s Wholesale Club Chairman and CEO Bob Eddy has been elected chairman of the NRF Board of Directors. Eddy succeeds Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner, who has served in the role since 2022.

"We are immensely grateful to John Furner for his leadership of the NRF Board of Directors during a pivotal time of change for the retail industry," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. "During his chairmanship, NRF continued a sustained pattern of growth in membership, conference attendance and revenue. John also encouraged the pursuit of several new strategic initiatives including the launch of the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, which tracks monthly retail sales; NRF and Comexposium’s expansion of Retail’s Big Show to Europe and Asia Pacific; and our NRF Foundation’s partnership with Georgetown University to strengthen the bridge between the academic community and retailers’ evolving needs."

"As we look to the year ahead, we are fortunate to have Bob take the helm as chair of the NRF Board of Directors," Shay said. "Bob has a longstanding history and personal involvement with NRF, including serving as past chair of the finance executive committee. He leads a company that is experiencing rapid growth and expansion, and his experience and expertise will be invaluable as the retail industry continues to evolve and innovate at a rapid pace. We look forward to driving positive change for retailers of all sizes under his leadership."

"Retailers play a crucial role for Americans, providing everyday goods and essential items as well as outstanding career opportunities for millions of people," Eddy said. "I look forward to working with NRF and the board to continue to propel the retail industry forward."

Additionally, three new members were elected to the NRF Board of Directors, including:

  • Worldwide Amazon Stores CEO Doug Herrington

  • Orveon Global CEO Neela Montgomery

  • Goodwill Industries International President and CEO Steve Preston


The board of directors, composed of the retail industry’s leading executives who serve as the governing body for the National Retail Federation, held its annual winter meeting today during NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show.  

View the full list of NRF Board of Directors.

About NRF
The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies. nrf.com

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