Doug McMillon: Reinventing Retail at Walmart

Doug McMillon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Walmart, Inc., joined the firm as a regular associate in 1984. He started at the warehouses by picking orders along with unloading trailers. He climbed up the ranks to begin his tenure as CEO in 2014. 

He was instrumental in transforming the firm into a people-led, omnichannel retailer with people who help save money for others. Through him, the company created Project Gigaton—an initiative of suppliers set to help cut over 1 billion emissions across the world by 2030.

Besides that, McMillon is a director of the Business Roundtable, the Consumer Goods Forum, and the U.S.-China Business Council.

Doug McMillon: Biography

Doug McMillon: Early life and education
Doug McMillon: Career
Doug McMillon: Personal Life
Doug McMillon: Political Motivations
Doug McMillon: Achievements and Recognition
Doug McMillon: Trivia
Doug McMillon: Key Highlights

Doug McMillon: Early life and education

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, but raised in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Douglas is one of three children. At the age of 16, he moved with his family to Bentonville, Arkansas, and began working for Walmart (incorporated in Bentonville). Douglas loves sports, and in high school, he was his team's (junior) point guard on the basketball team.

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Doug McMillon: Career

McMillon began his professional career when he joined Walmart, Inc., where he worked as a summer associate offloading trucks coming from the distribution center. After finishing high school, he studied at the University of Arkansas. Two years later, in 1989, he graduated from there with his BA degree. 

In 1990, he joined the University of Tulsa to pursue an MBA, while he anticipated joining Walmart after graduating with success. Again, he began his journey with Walmart as assistant manager of a store in Tulsa. 

After completing his MBA in the year 1991, he returned to Bentonville, where he joined the buyer-training program. He started working as a fishing tackle buyer and, over time, took on positions that included purchasing and merchandising, managing all segments; food, clothing, furnishings, and crafts. He would serve as a general merchandise manager in Walmart's wholesale store division, Sam's Club, and then take charge of the electronics, toys, and sporting goods lines of business.

Doug's role at Sam's Club (2005–2009)

In 2005, they promoted Douglas to be the president and CEO of Sam's Club. He focused on marketing the brand to small business owners. Also, he added what the Wall Street Journal called "treasure hunt" items, such as limited-selection premium items like vacations and diamond necklaces for sale along with cheap bulk items to compete with Costco.

Doug's Role in Walmart International (2009–2013)

Walmart management promoted McMillon in February 2009 to head the Walmart International division to replace Mike Duke. Under his leadership, Walmart International concentrated on revamping its current markets in the UK, Canada, China, and the Americas. One area that McMillon focused on was integrating Walmart's low rates into its international market. 

It was under Doug’s leadership that Walmart bought major stakes in South Africa's Massmart Holdings Ltd. for $2.4 billion. Under McMillon's guidance, Walmart International grew faster than Walmart USA and accounted for 29% of the total countrywide sales.

CEO Role at Walmart (2014 to date)

On November 25, 2013, Walmart announced McMillon's elevation to the Board of Directors, and he succeeded Mike Duke as the CEO of Walmart on February 1, 2014. He assumed office at a moment when the competition was rising from players like Amazon, Costco, Safeway, Kroger, Dollar General, and Dollar Tree, among others.

One of the biggest changes Doug brought about was the rise in wages for hourly workers in the U.S. This move, according to McMillon, would lead to happier workers who would, in turn, provide better customer service.

In 2015, McMillon stated that Walmart would invest $2.7 billion in terms of associate wages, benefits, and training. During his tenure, they increased the wage rate from $9 an hour to $10 an hour. In 2016, he stated raises for employees involving short-term disability benefits for full-time workers and also revised paid time off.

Doug McMillon: Personal Life

Douglas and his wife, Shelley, have been married for many years, and they have raised two sons together. He is a born-again Christian by faith and currently resides in Bentonville, Arkansas.

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Doug McMillon: Political Motivations

Douglas has also spearheaded the political strategies for Walmart, Inc. He recently issued a statement urging Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson to veto the religious freedom bill from last year (2015). The report by him stated that the religious freedom bill "threatens to undermine the spirit of inclusion present throughout the state of Arkansas and does not reflect the values we proudly uphold."

In 2015, he revealed that the company would not sell Confederate merchandise after the shooting of nine African American churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina. The business also altered the sale of guns to include only guns designed to suit sport shooters and hunters. The company ended the sale of military-style semi-automatic weapons.

He has been a member of the business group that President Donald Trump set up in 2016 to consult with him on policy matters related to the economy. He also denounced the way President Trump addressed violence at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. He did it through an email to all of the employees. 

Over the course of 2019, McMillon bolstered their arms and ammunition policies. And he said that Walmart would no longer sell ammunition for handguns and military weapons. It originates from the mass shooting at one of its stores in El Paso, Texas.

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Doug McMillon: Achievements and Recognition

1. Forbes' World's Most Powerful People

• Ranked 29th in 2014.
• Ranked 32nd in 2015.
• Ranked 27th in 2016.

2. Ad Council Public Service Award ‘Legacy Award’

Received for his work on the "Welcoming Immigrants" campaign and education initiative on COVID-19 vaccinations.

3. Honored at the Junior Achievement of Arkansas Hall of Fame Gala for his positive influence on:

• Business
• Education
• Community

Doug McMillon: Trivia

• Helped acquire majority stakes in South Africa's Massmart Holdings Inc. for $2.4 billion.
• Increased international stores from 3,300 outlets in 14 countries to 6,300 outlets in 26 countries.
• Douglas appears on Forbes' World's Most Powerful People List for 2014, 2015, and 2016 in positions #29, #32, and #27, respectively.

Doug McMillon: Key Highlights

Under McMillon’s leadership, Walmart has undergone significant transformations that focus more on sustainability, global expansion, and technological innovation. 

1. Technology Integration: 

1. Walmart is investing heavily in generative AI to improve its overall customer experience and optimize its supply chain operation. 
2. He emphasized the latest retail strategies that highlight integrating AI to transform both operations and customer engagement. 

2. Sustainability Initiatives: 

McMillon championed Walmart’s environmental effort to reduce 10% reduction in carbon emissions across its supply chain in 2024. They also expanded the use of biodegradable packaging. 

3. Expansion and Market Focus: 

Walmart is strengthening its global presence in major markets such as India and Africa. One of their key moves includes gaining major stakes in Flipkart. 

4. Healthcare and eCommerce: 

Walmart’s healthcare division includes mental health services and telemedicine and has generated over $5 billion in revenue. He also advanced eCommerce capabilities and invested heavily in online operations to introduce Walmart+ subscription.  

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FAQ

How much is the CEO of Walmart paid?

The CEO of Walmart, Doug McMillon, was paid approximately $25.7 million in total compensation for the fiscal year 2024.

Is Doug McMillon still CEO of Walmart?

Yes, Doug McMillon is still the CEO of Walmart.

What degree does the CEO of Walmart have?

Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart, holds a Bachelor's degree in Business from the University of Arkansas and an MBA from the University of Tulsa.