Walden, who starts at the end of February, replaces Sara Weller, who left the retailer in June last year for "personal reasons".
Today (1 February) it was announced that Weller is to become a non-executive director at Lloyds Banking Group.
Walden joins Argos after a lengthy career in the US, which includes his position as chief operating officer of online supermarket retailer Peapod, executive vice president and a member of the executive committee at Best Buy, leading to the position of executive vice president at Sears.
This included Sears Roebuck, Kmart and Land's End, where he led the internet, catalogue and home services divisions, alongside marketing, merchandising and new concept development.
Terry Duddy, chief executive, Home Retail Group, said: "I am delighted John is joining the team. He brings with him a wealth of multi-channel retail and technology related business experience at senior levels within a range of both large retail organisations and smaller entrepreneurial enterprises.
"We look forward to John bringing a valuable, fresh perspective to the future development of Argos."
Argos has had a difficult year, which has seen its operating profits plummet by more than £50m. The retailer blamed a difficult economic climate for the decline.
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