At celebrity-studded annual meeting, Wal-Mart vows to hang onto customers gained in recession

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s new President and CEO Mike Duke pledged to shareholders Friday that the world’s largest retailer will speed efforts to improve its operations, from offering more compelling merchandise to keeping prices low, as it aims to hold onto customers when the economy improves.

Wal-Mart vice chairman pledges more diversity, advancement in workforce in speech at meeting

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores’s Vice Chairman Eduardo Castro-Wright promised shareholders at its annual meeting Friday that it will press for more diversity in its workforce and create more career opportunities for advancement.

Wal-Mart seeks acquisitions overseas as it continues to take market share from rivals globally

ROGERS, Ark. — Wal-Mart is actively seeking acquisitions abroad, including in Russia, as its low-price formula helps it pick up market share and customers in the global recession.