New European Chief for Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., has named Dave Ferguson the new president and ceo of its European operations, based in Leeds, England. He replaces Allan Leighton, who has decided to leave the company.

Ferguson, 55, spent the past four and a half years overseeing Wal-Mart's 168-store operations in Canada. He was recently named Distinguished Retailer of the Year by the Retail Council of Canada. Leighton will remain with Wal-Mart for the next few months to assist in the management transition. In his new position, Ferguson will report to John Menzer, president and ceo of Wal-Mart's International division.

Wal-Mart has 335 European stores, 240 in the U.K. and 95 in Germany. The world's largest retail organization entered Germany in January 1998 by acquiring 21 Wertkauf stores. A year later, it acquired 74 Interspar stores. Wal-Mart entered the British market in 1995, through its purchase of the ASDA Group, a Leeds-based chain of superstores. It currently operates 240 stores in the U.K.