Key Points:
- John Furner to be Walmart CEO in 2026
- 30-year Walmart veteran, rose from intern
- Succession shows continuity and a global growth focus
Walmart has announced a major leadership change as longtime CEO Doug McMillon prepares to retire on January 31, 2026, concluding more than a decade overseeing the world’s largest retailer. The company confirmed that John Furner, currently the President and CEO of Walmart U.S., will assume the role of global CEO beginning February 1, 2026.
McMillon will continue to support the transition, remaining on Walmart’s board until the next annual shareholders’ meeting in June and serving as an adviser through fiscal year 2027. The move marks one of the most significant leadership transitions in the company’s recent history, reflecting Walmart’s established succession planning model and its preference for advancing leaders who have spent decades within the organization.
John Furner’s Rise from Intern to Global Chief
John Furner’s appointment is the culmination of a 30-year career that began with a summer internship at Walmart Mexico in 1993. Over the decades, he held various roles in merchandising and marketing, including international assignments in China, before returning to the U.S. to take on broader responsibilities.
His rapid ascent continued when he was named CEO of Sam’s Club in 2017, where he led the warehouse chain’s digital transformation and focused on operational efficiencies. By 2019, he was promoted to CEO of Walmart U.S., overseeing thousands of stores and millions of associates across the country.
Furner’s leadership approach is widely characterized as collaborative and people-centric. He has consistently emphasized mentorship, continuous learning, and the importance of building teams with diverse viewpoints. His strategic focus during his tenure has included employee development, supply chain modernization, digital-first retail operations, and strengthening Walmart’s competitive positioning in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.
These qualities have contributed to his reputation as a leader capable of blending operational discipline with an adaptive and forward-looking mindset, an approach seen as critical for Walmart’s long-term global ambitions.
Vision, Values, and Walmart’s Global Future
Furner often credits his grounded leadership style to his upbringing in Arkansas, shaped by early experiences helping on his grandfather’s farm as well as years spent developing personal discipline and humility. Those experiences, he says, taught him the value of hard work, empathy, and active listening skills he considers essential in understanding the needs of Walmart’s vast workforce.
As he prepares to step into the global CEO role, Furner inherits responsibility for overseeing more than 10,000 stores across 19 countries, along with a workforce that spans multiple continents. His priorities are expected to center on expanding Walmart’s international footprint, accelerating technology-driven retail solutions, and reinforcing the company’s long-held focus on affordability for customers amid shifting consumer trends.
Furner has described the opportunity as both humbling and motivating, noting that the role comes with significant expectations. Yet, he maintains that Walmart’s strength continues to lie in its people and its ability to innovate at scale.
With McMillon moving into an advisory role, the company enters a new chapter led by a CEO who has risen entirely through its ranks, reflecting continuity, internal development, and Walmart’s long-term strategy for sustainable global growth.
