US-based retail giant Wal-Mart has announced a number of senior appointments in its efforts to breathe life into its listless US operations while forging ahead with international growth. John Menzer and Mike Duke were appointed vice chairman to Lee Scott's chief executive position. Duke - who has been in charge of Wal-Mart's US discount division - will take over Wal-Mart International, while Menzer, a former CFO, will take responsibility for the company's US operations. Meanwhile, Eduardo Castro-Wright has been named the new chief executive of the Wal-Mart USA store division. He previously headed up Wal-Mart's Mexican subsidiary.

Chairman of the board, Rob Walton, said the management changes "represent an opportunity to boost our performance and help us become a more diverse and global enterprise." The company also announced that Jim Walton, son of late founder Sam Walton, would join the board of directors, taking the place of his brother John, who was killed earlier this year.