Wal-Mart’s Top Marketing Exec to Retire

Robert Connolly, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.’s chief marketing executive, plans to retire at year’s end.

Connolly, 61, joined the retail giant in 1989 when he was hired as the apparel and merchandise manager. He left in 1994 to work for Montgomery Ward but returned to Wal-Mart in 1996. He currently works as the executive VP-marketing and consumer communications for the Wal-Mart Stores Division.

The company is searching for a replacement.

Wal-Mart had $256 billion in sales last year and is the world’s largest retailer.