Walmart Leadership Changes: Retailer Names New CEO Of Walmart U.S.

Walmart (WMT) has named John Furner as the new president and CEO of Walmart U.S. effective on Nov. 1. Greg Foran is departing the company for a new position as CEO of Air New Zealand Limited.

Furner, 45, was previously CEO at Sam’s Club, a position he took in 2017. He will report directly to Doug McMillon, Walmart president and CEO. In his new role, he will work with Mark Lore, Walmart U.S. eCommerce CEO, to provide a “seamless omnichannel experience” for customers.

Walmart has been working to overhaul its e-commerce business as it looks to make the division profitable. Changes have come in the form of executive leadership moves as well as integrating brands such as Jet under the division and selling off its Indie-brand ModCloth to Go Global Retail. Layoffs also occurred at men's brand Bonobos earlier this week.

Furner has been with Walmart since 1993, starting out as an hourly associate in the garden center of one of the company’s supercenters. He moved his way up through the retailer, holding positions as store manager, district manager, and buyer. He also served in leadership roles within Walmart’s operations, merchandising, and sourcing divisions at Walmart U.S., Sam’s Club, and Walmart International.

“John has done a fantastic job at Sam’s Club, and he will continue the momentum we have in Walmart U.S.,” McMillon said. “John knows our business well, having held many different jobs in the company over more than 25 years, and he is helping transform it for the future.

“He has the experience and judgment to know what we should continue doing and what we should change. He embraces technology and new ways of working, and he keeps our customers and Sam’s Club members at the center of everything we do, while delivering results for the business. I look forward to seeing his impact for our customers and associates in Walmart U.S.,” he added.

Foran served as president and CEO of Walmart U.S. for five years and will stay on with the company through Jan. 31, 2020, to ensure a smooth transition for Furner. He was appointed to CEO of Walmart U.S. in August 2014.

The president and CEO of Sam’s Club will be announced at a later date, Walmart said.

Shares of Walmart stock were up 0.26 percent as of 10:17 a.m. ET on Friday.