Walmart has named John Furner, whose long history with the retailer dates back to working as an hourly associate in 1993, as its new President and CEO, effective Feb. 1, 2026. Furner will replace retiring President and CEO Doug McMillon, who will remain on the board of directors to help ensure a smooth transition.
Furner was named President and CEO of Walmart U.S. in 2019, and has overseen the retailer’s largest operating segment and its 4,600+ stores. During his career, he has held leadership roles across merchandising, operations and sourcing, lived and worked in multiple countries and served as President and CEO of Sam’s Club U.S.
“John Furner is the right leader to guide Walmart into our next chapter of growth and transformation,” said Greg Penner, Chairman of Walmart Inc. in a statement “John understands every dimension of our business – from the sales floor to global strategy. He has proven that he can deliver results while living our values. John’s six-year leadership of our Walmart U.S. business during a time of rapid change, marked by digital acceleration and strong associate engagement, has positioned us for continued success.”
McMillon’s Walmart career, which began in 2005 when he was named President and CEO of Sam’s Club, includes a five-year stint as President and CEO of Walmart International, followed by his appointment to the top job in February 2014.
Advertisement
“Serving as Walmart’s CEO has been a great honor and I’m thankful to our board and the Walton family for the opportunity,” said McMillon in a statement. “I’m incredibly proud of what our associates accomplished and deeply grateful for their commitment to our customers, to each other and to the communities we serve.”
McMillon praised his successor’s capabilities: “I’ve worked with John for more than 20 years. His love for our associates and this company runs deep. His curiosity and digital acumen combined with a deep commitment to our people and culture will enable him to take us to the next level. He’s uniquely capable of leading the company through this next AI-driven transformation. He’s a merchant, an operator, an innovator, and a builder. I know that our future is bright with his leadership.”
