Wal-Mart shuffles chief marketing officer

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. shuffled its U.S. marketing and merchandising management team following weak sales, the Bentonville, Ark., retailer said Wednesday.

Chief Marketing Officer John Fleming is now its chief merchandising officer, Wal-Mart said.

Fleming was central to an embarrassing 2006 advertising strategy to appeal to more affluent shoppers, which Wal-Mart canceled late in the year after sales faltered.

In his new job, Fleming oversees Wal-Mart's grocery, entertainment, home and clothing divisions. Wal-Mart's apparel sales slumped after its upscale marketing push emphasized skinny-legged pants and nightclub wear.

In a return to more promotional marketing efforts, senior marketing Vice President Stephen Quinn succeeds Fleming as chief marketing officer.

Fleming ran Pepsico's Frito-Lay division before joining Wal-Mart in 2005.