Wal-Mart Embracing Fresh Foods

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. believes its fresh food department sets the tone for a customer's shopping experience. It is, after all, the first thing customers see when they walk through the door.

So Steve Bratspies, Wal-Mart's chief merchandising officer for U.S stores, told investors that the retailer is continuing its efforts to ensure that quality, selection and presentation leave a good impression.

"It's a huge priority for us because it's a huge traffic driver, and it's very important to our customers," Bratspies said. "We know when we get fresh right the entire box benefits."

Bratspies highlighted some of Wal-Mart's ongoing strategies to improve its grocery business — specifically in fresh food operations — during a presentation at the Raymond James Institutional Investors Conference in Orlando, Fla., last week.

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