Walmart has announced that long-serving chief executive Doug McMillon will retire on 31 January 2026.
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Walmart US CEO John Furner is set to take over from 1 February. McMillon, who began his career as an hourly associate, has led the retail giant since 2014, guiding the company through e-commerce growth, pandemic disruption, and inflationary challenges. He will remain with Walmart as an executive officer and advisor until January 2027.
Furner, also starting as an hourly associate in 1993, has headed Walmart's US operations since 2019, overseeing more than 4,600 stores. Walmart chair Greg Penner described him as "the right leader to guide Walmart into the next chapter of our growth and transformation," noting his 30-plus years of experience with the company.
McMillon highlighted his confidence in Furner's leadership, saying he is "uniquely capable of leading the company through this next AI-driven transformation." Under McMillon's tenure, Walmart also sold most of Asda to UK investors while retaining a 10% stake and a board role. Earlier this year, Asda completed its IT overhaul, Project Future, reducing dependence on Walmart's legacy systems.
The leadership transition marks a pivotal moment for the retailer as it enters a new era of technology-driven expansion and operational transformation.
Source: www.retailgazette.co.uk
