Walmart Relies on In-House Leaders to Steer Through Retail Hurdles

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Walmart Relies on In-House Leaders to Steer Through Retail Hurdles

Bitget-RWA2025/11/14 20:10

By:Bitget-RWA

- Walmart appoints John Furner, a 30-year veteran, as CEO in 2026, succeeding retiring Doug McMillion. - Furner, 51, leads U.S. operations with 4,600 stores and $120.9B Q2 revenue, emphasizing internal leadership continuity. - McMillion's 12-year tenure saw 400% stock growth but faces challenges like tariffs and affordability crises. - New CEO inherits AI-driven transformation goals, with Q3 earnings and SNAP benefit disruptions under investor scrutiny.

Walmart Inc. (WMT) has appointed John Furner, who has spent three decades with the company, as its upcoming chief executive officer. He will take over from Doug McMillon, who is set to retire at the close of January 2026. Starting February 1, 2026, Furner—currently serving as president and CEO of

Walmart

U.S.—will assume leadership of the world’s largest Fortune 500 company, which operates more than 10,750 stores and clubs worldwide and

reported $681 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2025

. McMillon, who began his Walmart journey in 1984 as an hourly employee and became CEO in 2014, will continue as a board member until June 2026 and

act as an advisor to Furner through fiscal 2027

Furner, age 51, started at Walmart in 1993 as an hourly worker in Bentonville, Arkansas. Over the years, he has held various leadership positions in merchandising, operations, and sourcing, and previously managed Sam’s Club U.S. as well as marketing for Walmart China. As the head of Walmart U.S.—the company’s largest division, responsible for 69% of net sales in the first half of 2026—he

managed a network of over 4,600 stores

and

achieved $120.9 billion in revenue during the second quarter

. His elevation highlights Walmart’s focus on promoting talent from within, with Chairman Greg Penner describing him as “the ideal leader to steer Walmart into its next phase of growth and innovation”

as stated by the company

During McMillon’s leadership, Walmart’s share price climbed by more than 400% and its market value increased by $576 billion. He led the company through a digital overhaul, introducing same-day delivery and expanding online sales,

enabling Walmart to appeal to a wide range of customers

across different income brackets. Nevertheless, this leadership change comes as the company faces significant headwinds, such as escalating tariffs, affordability challenges, and a government shutdown affecting SNAP benefits—issues also noted by companies like McDonald’s and Tyson Foods

based on industry analysis

Furner steps in as Walmart leads in AI adoption, with McMillon noting that artificial intelligence will “transform every one of the company’s more than 2 million jobs”

according to the CEO

. The incoming CEO will also face a challenging retail environment, as Walmart’s online sales jumped in October amid new AI-driven initiatives and aggressive promotions. Market analysts are expected to scrutinize the company’s third-quarter results, watching how Furner intends to maintain Walmart’s momentum.

This executive transition continues Walmart’s tradition of promoting leaders from within, as McMillon himself advanced from an hourly position to the top role. The company intends to

reveal Furner’s replacement for the U.S. division

before the end of fiscal 2026.

Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

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