Trius to head Wal-Mart Asia division

BENTONVILLE, Ark. Wal-Mart Stores today announced the appointment of Vicente Trius as evp, president and ceo of Wal-Mart Asia, International.

Trius will head Wal-Mart's retail operations in Asia, which includes units in Japan and China, as well as joint venture with Bharti Enterprises in India.

Trius joined Wal-Mart in 1996 as vp of operations in the International Division. In 1997, he was promoted to president and ceo of Wal-Mart Brazil. Prior to joining Wal-Mart, Trius worked for Dairy Farm International and Revco Drugstores.

Succeeding Trius will be Hector Nunez who will assume the position of president and ceo of Wal-Mart Brazil effective Feb. 1. Nunez joined Wal-Mart Brazil as evp and coo in July 2006. Prior to his career with Wal-Mart, Nunez held a range of key positions with Coca-Cola, Del Valle, and Hertz.

Wal-Mart has been operating stores in China since 1996 and currently has 101 units in addition to a minority shareholding in the 102 unit Trust-Mart chain. In Japan, the company operates Seiyu which has 394 units.