### Doug McMillon to Retire as Walmart CEO: A New Era Begins with John Furner Walmart has announced that Doug McMillon, its CEO since 2014, will retire on January 31, 2026. McMillon, who has been instrumental in transforming Walmart into a technology-driven retail giant, will be succeeded by John Furner, the current head of Walmart U.S. operations. This leadership change comes as a surprise to many, given Walmart's strong performance under McMillon's tenure, which has seen significant growth in e-commerce and market value. Following the announcement, Walmart's shares fell by approximately 3% in premarket trading, reflecting investor concerns about the transition [https://apnews.com/article/walmart-ceo-retire-mcmillon-furner-b97f97d17a692c9280c954775481ce2d][https://www.forbes.com/sites/kirkogunrinde/2025/11/14/walmart-shares-drop-as-ceo-doug-mcmillon-announces-retirement]. ### Structure of the Leadership Transition 1. **Retirement Announcement**: Doug McMillon will retire on January 31, 2026, after nearly 12 years as CEO. 2. **Successor**: John Furner, who has been with Walmart since 1993 and currently leads Walmart U.S. operations, will take over as CEO on February 1, 2026. 3. **Market Reaction**: Following the announcement, Walmart's stock experienced a decline, indicating investor uncertainty regarding the leadership change. 4. **Legacy of McMillon**: McMillon is credited with modernizing Walmart, enhancing its e-commerce capabilities, and significantly increasing its market value during his tenure. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Leadership Tenure**: Doug McMillon has served as CEO since 2014, leading Walmart through a transformative period. - **Stock Performance**: Walmart shares dropped by about 3% in premarket trading after the retirement announcement, reflecting market apprehension about the leadership transition [https://www.forbes.com/sites/kirkogunrinde/2025/11/14/walmart-shares-drop-as-ceo-doug-mcmillon-announces-retirement]. - **Furner's Background**: John Furner has been with Walmart for over 30 years, starting as an hourly associate and rising through the ranks, including serving as President and CEO of Sam's Club U.S. [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/technology/3698516-a-decade-of-transformation-doug-mcmillon-retires-as-walmart-ceo]. ### Conclusion: A Strategic Shift for Walmart In summary, **Walmart is entering a new chapter as Doug McMillon retires after a decade of leadership, with John Furner set to take the helm**. This transition is significant not only for Walmart but also for the retail industry as a whole, as it navigates challenges such as e-commerce competition and changing consumer behaviors. 1. **Retirement of Doug McMillon**: Effective January 31, 2026. 2. **John Furner as Successor**: Transition to begin February 1, 2026. 3. **Market Response**: Initial decline in stock prices post-announcement. 4. **Legacy and Future**: McMillon's transformative impact on Walmart and the expectations for Furner's leadership in maintaining the company's competitive edge [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/walmart-ceo-doug-mcmillon-to-retire-jan-31-longtime-exec-john-furner-named-next-ceo-142125331.html][https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/14/walmart-ceo-doug-mcmillon-to-retire-in-january.html?amp_gsa=1&_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM=].