Liputan6.com, Jakarta Doug McMillon, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Walmart, will end his tenure on January 31, 2026.
The official announcement, made on Friday, November 14, 2025, marks the end of McMillon's nearly 12-year tenure, which began in 2014.
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"Given that Mr. McMillon was unequivocally Walmart's best CEO since the company's founder in Sam Walton ... the announcement will likely cause some anxiety by shareholders, particularly since the change was a bit earlier-than-anticipated," said Chuck Grom, an analyst with Gordon Haskett.
This leadership transition will see John Furner, currently President and CEO of Walmart U.S., succeed him.
This leadership change is a significant milestone for the global retail giant, given McMillon's role in guiding Walmart through a significant digital transformation.
Doug McMillon Retirement Announcement
Walmart officially announced that CEO Doug McMillon will retire in January 2026.
McMillon has led the world's largest retailer for more than a decade, since taking the helm in 2014.
During his tenure, he has been a central figure in Walmart's evolution, guiding the company through numerous market and technological changes.
The announcement, made on Friday, November 14, 2025, immediately attracted market attention.
Although Doug McMillon will retire as CEO, he will not be leaving Walmart entirely.
McMillon will remain a member of the company's Board of Directors until the next annual shareholders meeting, scheduled for June 2026.
He will also serve as an advisor to John Furner until January 2027.
Transformation and Growth in the McMillon Era
During Doug McMillon's tenure, Walmart experienced a digital transformation and remarkable growth.
The company's net income increased nearly 50% since his first quarter as CEO, with Walmart's stock price quadrupling, or more than 300%.
McMillon led significant investments in digital and e-commerce capabilities, transforming Walmart into a formidable competitor to Amazon.
The company's e-commerce revenue jumped from 2.1% ($10 billion) in 2014 to an estimated 18% ($123 billion) in 2025.
He also invested heavily in technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to improve the customer experience and supply chain efficiency.
Under his leadership, Walmart acquired Flipkart, making it India's largest online retailer, and increased wages and benefits for its 2.1 million employees.
John Furner, Walmart's Successor
To succeed Doug McMillon, Walmart's Board of Directors has appointed John Furner as Walmart's new President and Global CEO.
Furner, currently President and CEO of Walmart U.S., will officially assume the role on February 1, 2026.
This appointment also includes Furner's appointment to the company's Board of Directors, effective immediately.
John Furner has a long and impressive track record at Walmart, starting his career as an hourly employee in 1993.
He has held various leadership roles across the company, including CEO of Sam's Club and CEO of Walmart U.S. since 2019.
Walmart Chairman Greg Penner stated that Furner is the right leader to guide Walmart into its next chapter of growth and transformation.