Walmart CEO: 'Listen to Your Gut'
In a new Harvard Business Review interview, outgoing Walmart CEO Doug McMillon advises leaders to blend data-driven analysis with intuition, especially when navigating disruption. He emphasized that humility and adaptability are crucial for leading teams through periods of significant change.
Doug McMillon’s tenure as CEO, which began in February 2014 and concluded at the end of January 2026, was marked by a determined push to transform the retail giant. He inherited a company facing intense pressure from the rise of e-commerce, particularly from Amazon, and focused on turning Walmart into an omnichannel powerhouse. This strategy involved significant investments in technology, supply chain modernization, and digital capabilities. A key element of McMillon's strategy was the aggressive expansion of Walmart's e-commerce footprint. This included acquisitions like Jet.com and the Indian e-commerce company Flipkart, alongside scaling up a third-party marketplace. Under his leadership, Walmart's e-commerce sales saw substantial growth, with U.S. online sales on track to turn a profit. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a critical test of Walmart's omnichannel strategy. With a surge in demand for grocery pickup and delivery, the company's e-commerce sales grew significantly. While other retailers struggled, Walmart hired hundreds of thousands of new associates to meet the demand and implemented safety measures like plexiglass barriers and mask mandates for employees in high-risk areas. McMillon's leadership also emphasized employee investment, with initiatives to raise wages and expand benefits. His successor, John Furner, who took the helm on February 1, 2026, is a long-time Walmart employee who started as an hourly associate in 1993. Furner previously led Walmart U.S. and Sam's Club, and is expected to continue the focus on digital transformation and AI-driven retail. Under McMillon, Walmart's net sales grew by 43%, and consolidated net income increased by 21% between fiscal years 2014 and 2025. The company's stock has outperformed the S&P 500 index over the past year. In Rhode Island, Walmart employs 2,629 associates and spent $602.6 million with local suppliers, supporting over 12,000 supplier jobs. The company also donated over $800,000 and 327,165 pounds of food in the state.
