By Michael Barbaro

Wanted: two people to help defend the nation's largest retailer against critics. Requirements: plenty of experience managing a crisis.

Wal-Mart Stores has begun circulating two senior-level job postings — both in public relations — and if the language used to describe the positions is any indication, the giant discount retailer is on the P.R. equivalent of war footing.

By Marcus Kabel

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is increasing surprise inspections at thousands of foreign factories where it buys clothes, toys, shoes and other products as it expands efforts to make sure its suppliers uphold labor and environmental standards.

Wal-Mart expects unannounced inspections to make up 30 percent of all inspections this year, up from 20 percent last year and 8 percent in 2004, said Beth Keck, director of international corporate affairs for the world's largest retailer.

By Frank Sennett

Buying clothing from Wal-Mart might not leave you with blood on your hands, but it could put some on your pants.

That's the most surprising lesson U.S. consumers have learned so far from the International Labor Rights Fund's ongoing effort to bring foreign factory workers stateside to see the products of their sweat and, yes, blood on Wal-Mart racks.

By Marcus Kabel

BENTONVILLE, Ark. * Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is throwing its weight behind organic products, a move that experts say could have the same lasting effect on environmental practices that Wal-Mart has had on prices by forcing suppliers and competitors to keep up.