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Walmart Names John Furner CEO as Doug McMillon Sets January 2026 Exit

The leadership handoff signals continuity in Walmart's tech-focused strategy after a surprise notice that nudged shares lower.

Overview

  • McMillon, 59, will retire on Jan. 31, 2026, and Furner will take over on Feb. 1, 2026.
  • Furner has been elected to the board effective immediately, while McMillon stays on the board until the next annual meeting and will advise through Jan. 31, 2027.
  • Walmart said it will name a new head of Walmart U.S. before the end of fiscal 2026.
  • Shares fell roughly 2%–3% in premarket trading after the announcement, which arrived days before next week’s earnings report.
  • Under McMillon, annual revenue rose from about $486 billion to $681 billion, the stock gained nearly 300%, and Walmart accelerated e-commerce, automation, AI and workforce investments.