Walmart, the behemoth of global retail, is embarking on a new era. Doug McMillon, who has been the company’s CEO for more than a decade, will step down on January 31, 2026. In his place, John Furner — currently CEO of Walmart U.S. — will assume the top role starting 1 February 2026.
This isn’t just a change of guard. McMillon’s tenure has been defined by a bold push into technology: under his leadership, Walmart aggressively scaled its e-commerce operations, leaned into automation, and began to integrate AI across supply chains and customer experience. He turned what many viewed as a conventional big-box retailer into a high-tech, hybrid powerhouse.
Furner is not an outsider. He joined Walmart in 1993, working his way up from a part-time associate in a garden centre to leadership in operations and merchandising. He has run Sam’s Club and even led Walmart’s operations in China. Now, as the CEO of Walmart U.S., he oversees thousands of stores and over a million staff. His appointment suggests continuity — and perhaps even acceleration — in Walmart’s digital transformation.
Analysts see this as a signal that Walmart intends to deepen its investments in technology and logistics. Furner’s ascent is likely to embolden Walmart’s strategy of blending physical retail with digital innovation, focused not just on selling more but on refining the supply chain, improving cost structures, and enhancing in-store experiences.