Walmart‘s U.S. CEO John Furner to Led Company Through AI Change
John โฃFurner, a 30-year Walmart veteran who began his career as an hourly employee, is poised to lead tehโฃ retail giant through โขits next โphase ofโ growth and an increasingly pivotal AI-driven transformation. The announcement comesโฃ as current Walmartโ CEO Doug McMillon โsteps down after more โคthan a decade, during which the company’s stock has more than quadrupled.
Furner’s appointment signalsโข a continuation ofโค Walmart’s focus on leveraging its vast scale andโค deepโ understanding of theโ American consumer, now with a sharpened emphasis โฃon artificial intelligence. He will guide the company – which operates over 4,600 stores in the U.S. – as it navigatesโ a rapidlyโค evolving โretail landscapeโ and seeksโฃ to capitalize on the โpotential of AI to reshape its business. The company plans toโฃ nameโ Furner’s successor as CEOโข of Walmart’s American businessโ before the end of fiscal year 2026.
As 2019, Furner has served as CEO of Walmart inโ the United States, overseeing a division criticalโข to the company’s overall performance. McMillon,who has worked with furner for 20 years,highlighted his leadership ability to navigate this “next AI-driven transformation.”
“John understands all dimensions of our business, from the sales floor to globalโฃ strategy,” stated Greg โขPenner, Chairman of the Board of directors. “He is the ideal leader to โguide Walmart through our nextโข stage of growth and transformation.” โฃ
McMillon will remain on the board of directors until June and will serve as anโ advisor to Furner through fiscal 2027, ensuring a smoothโข transition.The leadership change occurs alongside a recent shift in Walmart Mexico’s leadership, with Cristian Barrientos Pozo โrecently named president.