Wal-Mart Puts U.S. Marketing Under Merchandising

Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N) said on Friday that its U.S. marketing team would now work under the leadership of its chief merchandising officer rather than as a separate group as the world's largest retailer works on improving its communication with shoppers.

Under the new plan, Walmart U.S. Chief Marketing Officer Stephen Quinn will report to Walmart U.S. Chief Merchandising Officer Duncan Mac Naughton. Previously, Quinn reported directly to Bill Simon, the president and chief executive officer of the business.

Mac Naughton, who is responsible for merchandising across Walmart's more than 3,850 U.S. stores, continues to report directly to Simon.

The shift comes as Walmart sees a need for better coordination between the two groups. Shopping and advertising are being quickly transformed by the Internet, social media, smartphones and other shifts in both shoppers' behavior and reaching shoppers with the right campaigns.

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