Emme Kozloff Given Quotations

We see this as a positive and a necessity given that the scope and complexity of Wal-Mart's U.S. business is too broad for a single executive to oversee anymore.

September sales were surprisingly resilient in the face of significantly higher gasoline prices. While this is reassuring, the question remains: 'How long can the consumer maintain the current spending rate given expectations for continued pressure from energy prices?