Wal-Mart chief merchandiser departs just before Black Friday: memo

Reuters
Duncan Mac Naughton, chief merchandising and marketing officer, Walmart U.S., holds up a frozen dinner box at a Walmart U.S. associates meeting in Fayetteville, Arkansas June 4, 2014. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

(Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc Chief Merchandising Officer Duncan Mac Naughton has decided to leave the retailer to pursue new opportunities, according to a company memo provided to media. The move comes as Wal-Mart and other retailers gear up for the holiday shopping season. Greg Foran, head of the retailer's U.S. operations, said in the memo that he had decided not to name a new chief merchandising officer at this time and would have other team members report directly to him. (Reporting by Nathan Layne; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)