Walmart Appoints David Guggina as U.S. CEO in Leadership Shift

Walmart has made significant leadership changes following nearly a decade of consistent quarterly revenue growth. The retail giant announced on Friday that David Guggina has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of its U.S. division, taking over from John Furner, who will ascend to the overall CEO position of the company. This transition comes as Doug McMillon prepares to retire after more than ten years leading Walmart, with the official change occurring on January 31, 2024.

Guggina, currently serving as the chief e-commerce officer of Walmart U.S., brings nearly eight years of experience with the company. His previous roles include executive vice-president of supply chain operations, positioning him well to lead the U.S. division during a pivotal time for the retailer. His appointment highlights Walmart’s commitment to evolving its leadership in response to market demands.

In addition to Guggina’s promotion, Walmart announced the appointment of Chris Nicholas as the CEO of its international division. Nicholas steps into the role following the departure of Kathryn McLay, whose exit was confirmed just a day prior. Nicholas has been serving as the CEO of Sam’s Club, another Walmart-owned entity. His position will be filled by Latriece Watkins, further emphasizing Walmart’s strategy of promoting internal talent.

Walmart has also elevated Seth Dallaire to chief growth officer, a role he previously held within the U.S. division. This series of promotions reflects the company’s focus on maintaining a strong leadership team as it navigates the competitive retail landscape.

Financially, the company has maintained impressive growth, reporting quarterly revenue increases for nearly ten consecutive years. Earlier this week, Walmart’s shares reached record highs, having gained 21 percent in 2025 alone, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 Consumer Staples index, which rose by just 1.3 percent.

In a recent filing, Walmart disclosed that Furner’s annual base salary will be set at US$1.5 million. He is also set to receive a one-time stock award valued at US$10 million and will be eligible for an annual equity award estimated at US$17 million for the fiscal year 2027. This compensation package underscores the strategic importance of leadership at Walmart as it continues to adapt and grow in a rapidly changing retail environment.