McMillon to Retire as Walmart CEO in January, Furner to Step in

Core Insights - Walmart Inc. announced the retirement of CEO Doug McMillon effective January 31, 2026, with John Furner set to take over as president and CEO in February, marking a significant leadership transition for the company [1][7] Leadership Transition - Doug McMillon has been with Walmart since 1984 and has served as CEO since 2014, overseeing substantial revenue growth and the expansion of e-commerce operations [2] - Under McMillon's leadership, Walmart embraced automation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation, while also focusing on employee welfare through wage increases and educational programs [2] - John Furner, a long-time Walmart insider with experience in operations and merchandising, has been appointed to succeed McMillon, with the board expressing confidence in his ability to continue the company's growth trajectory [3] Transition Planning - The transition to Furner was described as long planned, with McMillon remaining on the board until the next shareholder meeting and advising the company through fiscal 2027 to ensure a smooth transition [4] Market Reaction - Following the announcement, Walmart shares initially fell in premarket trading due to uncertainty surrounding the leadership change, but losses moderated as investors recognized Furner's promotion as a logical and steady succession plan [5] Performance Comparison - As of November 14, Walmart's shares have gained 13.4% year to date, compared to a 28.2% increase in its Zacks Peer Group, with competitors Kroger Co. and Tesco PLC showing gains of 9.1% and 24.7%, respectively [6]