BENTONVILLE, AR — Walmart Inc.’s Board of Directors elected 51-year-old John Furner as its new president and CEO, succeeding Doug McMillon, 59. Furner officially takes his post starting February 1, 2026.
Furner was also elected to the company’s Board of directors, effective immediately. McMillon will retire on January 31, 2026, but remain on the Board of Directors until the next annual shareholders’ meeting to help ensure a smooth transition.
“John Furner is the right leader to guide Walmart into our next chapter of growth and transformation,” said Greg Penner, chairman of Walmart Inc. “After starting as an hourly associate and being with us for over 30 years in a variety of leadership roles across all three of our operating segments, 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,” Penner continued. “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 said: “Serving as Walmart’s CEO has been a great honor and I’m thankful to our Board and the Walton family for the opportunity. 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. Thank you, everyone! 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.”