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Walmart Names John Furner CEO as Doug McMillon Plans January 2026 Retirement

Walmart frames the insider handoff as continuity-focused, with McMillon advising through January 2027.

Overview

  • McMillon will step down on Jan. 31, 2026, and Furner will become CEO on Feb. 1, 2026.
  • Furner has been elected to the board effective immediately, and Walmart expects to name a new Walmart U.S. chief before the end of fiscal 2026.
  • McMillon will remain on the board through June 2026 and serve as an adviser to Furner through Jan. 31, 2027, receiving $1.5 million annually per an SEC filing.
  • Walmart shares fell roughly 2% to 3% in premarket trading following the announcement.
  • The company highlights a continuity strategy for an AI-driven next phase, as Furner—who joined Walmart in 1993 and has led the U.S. unit since 2019—succeeds a CEO credited with e-commerce, supply chain and wage gains over the past decade.