Wal-Mart creates four core merchandising areas

Wal-Mart Stores will remain without a chief merchandising officer for its U.S. stores for the time being. Instead, the chain has named four new product heads to take over that responsibility, according to a Reuters report. In a Sept. 3 memo to employees, Bill Simon, chief executive of the U.S. division, outlined four merchandising areas -- general merchandise and replenishment; food; softlines; and a group that includes consumables, health and wellness and walmart.com -- to be led by "seasoned merchants."Wal-Mart’s previous head of merchandising was John Fleming, who left the company as of Aug. 1.