The Huddle with John Furner

What do retail and football have in common? More than you'd think.  In this episode of The Huddle, John Furner sits down with NFL star Saquon Barkley to explore the shared fundamentals of great leadership: discipline, teamwork and the drive to keep improving.  Hear how lessons from the locker room can apply to the sales floor, and why showing up with heart makes all the difference.  Listen now and get inspired to lead with purpose — on any field. 

What do a 350-acre vision, a statue of Ol' Roy and a career spent building what's next all have in common? John Furner sat down with Cindi Marsiglio, SVP of Corporate Real Estate, for a conversation about what it took to bring the new Home Office to life and what it represents for the future of Walmart. Cindi also reflected on her 18-year Walmart journey, including her work to carry forward Sam Walton's passion for sourcing products and services that are made, grown or assembled in the communities we serve. That path often led her into brand-new roles — like the one she holds today, helping turn a bold vision for our next chapter into a 350-acre workplace that many associates are already starting to call home. From a replica of Mr. Sam's famous Ford F-150 to a sculptural tribute to his beloved dog, Ol' Roy, the new Walmart Home Office is rich with stories from our past and built for the future we're creating together. And with more than 2.4 million square feet of office space constructed from mass timber — much of it sourced right here in Arkansas — it also reflects our ongoing commitment to American-made materials and responsible growth. With Associates Week just around the corner, we can't wait to welcome associates from across the globe to see it for themselves.

Today, shopping from the comfort of home is second nature. Fresh groceries delivered straight to your doorstep? Just another Tuesday. But ten years ago it was just a big idea to build trust by saving customers time. At initial test locations like our Ammon, Idaho Supercenter, Store Manager Jason Neville was setting a goal of fulfilling 30 orders a day. Today, Jason's team fulfills upwards of 6,500 orders a week and brings in more than $25 million a year in delivery and pickup sales! And that's just one of 170 Walmart stores to hit that $25 million milestone last year! Join Jason and me as we look back on the early days of Walmart's delivery journey and talk about some of the people who helped turn a bold vision into a game-changing service powering our growth. All while helping create flexible roles and full-time careers. This episode is a reminder that when you think big and lead with passion, teamwork and trust, lives change — for the better. 

Join us in this episode of The Huddle as John chats with Walmart driver Julio Reyes – one of 49 drivers who delivered aid to those affected by Hurricane Helene – to reflect on the efforts and impact of Walmart's Private Fleet.

This episode of The Huddle is a must-listen for anyone curious about the world of AI, regardless of your background. Whether you're a tech enthusiast eager to know about AI's latest developments or a novice looking to understand AI's impact, this episode has something for everyone. 

Happy New Year! I hope your 2025 is off to a great start.   For many in retail, an annual New Year's tradition is attending the National Retail Federation's “Big Show” in New York City. NRF is a great organization that advocates for the entire retail industry and works to highlight its massive economic impact and all the opportunities it brings. They call their January conference the “Big Show” because it brings 40,000 attendees together from over 100 countries, to learn about the cutting-edge innovation and technology. There's nothing like the Big Show, and I'm so excited to join this weekend!     My first Huddle guest of the year is NRF's President, Matt Shay. He joins me to talk about the history of the organization, the role it plays today, and what attendees will see at this year's show. I've had the honor of chairing the NRF's Board of Directors for the past three years, and I've learned so much working with some of Walmart's partners (and competitors!) to make a difference on the issues we all care about. A strong, vibrant retail industry is good for ALL retailers, and we need to continue telling the stories of lives we've changed. I hope you enjoy this episode, and once again, Happy New Year! 

Five years, 89 episodes, and countless memories—The Huddle has been an incredible journey. When we started I wasn't sure what to expect, I just knew it was important for associates to hear directly from leadership. Along the way, it became clear there were so many amazing stories to share—like our associates making a difference, leaders driving change, entrepreneurs building something extraordinary, community members creating real impact, and more. In this special episode, I sit down with Marissa Kargas, who helped bring The Huddle to life in its early days, to reflect on how it all began and what it's grown into. We revisit some of the most impactful moments and inspiring episodes – highlighting powerful personal journeys, leadership lessons and even a few funny behind-the-scenes bloopers! The very best part of my job is meeting great people all over the country, and it's been an honor and a privilege sharing these conversations with you. Join us as we celebrate five years of The Huddle and look ahead to what's next!

For 20 years, Walmart has partnered with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation on the Acres for America program, helping protect over 2 million acres of critical land across the U.S. When the program started, the idea was to protect 1 acre of land for every 1 acre Walmart built on. Today it's evolved to about 20-1! Acres for America has preserved ecosystems, bolstered biodiversity, safeguarded clean water, and created recreational spaces for the benefit of both people and wildlife. And we recently shared the exciting news that we've renewed the program for 10 more years, with a $34.5 million pledge. In this episode of the Huddle, Chris West from NFWF and Jen Barnhouse from The Nature Conservancy joined me at the Kings River Preserve, a beautiful 5,000 acre preserve in Northwest Arkansas. We talked about the widespread impact of the Acres for America program, and how conservation isn't just about protecting beautiful places—it's also about sustaining natural resources for future generations. You'll also hear how anyone can support this work, either through small actions like rounding up a purchase or by finding ways to connect with local conservation initiatives. Whether you're passionate about the environment, want to leave a legacy for future generations, or simply enjoy outdoor recreation, this episode is for you!

Monday is Veterans Day, one of the most special days of the year. At Walmart we're so grateful to those who serve or have served in the military, and we support them however we can. A big way is through employment. We're proud to have hired 400,000 veterans since 2013. Another way is through the products we sell.  This week I recorded a Huddle episode with Mark Doyle, whose company – Rags of Honor Brands – makes military-themed shirts we sell in stores and online. We talked about his story of starting Rags of Honor to provide jobs and support to veterans, and how working with Walmart has helped his company do even more. We're proud to partner with Rags of Honor as they serve those who have served all of us – and I know you'll be inspired by Mark's mission-driven mindset and willingness to take action.  Please join me in thanking all the brave men and women who have worn the uniform and allowed us to live freely in this country. Let's all honor them today and every day. 

It's #AmericanPharmacistsMonth, and I had the chance to sit down with Obi Odi, one of our pharmacists at Store #4487 in Aiken, South Carolina. Obi's journey is remarkable. Originally from Nigeria, Obi came to the U.S. to further his education and pursue a career in pharmacy. While studying, he was deeply impacted by the events of 9/11 and decided to pause his education to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, even though he was about to graduate! After completing that Military service, he finished his pharmacy degree and found an opportunity to continue serving his community as a pharmacist at Walmart. In this episode of The Huddle, Obi shares how his role as a pharmacist allows him to connect with customers beyond their prescriptions, extending a helping hand to those who might need it most. His approach to service—whether in the Military or in the pharmacy—has always been about stepping up for others. Obi embodies Walmart's core values of service, respect, excellence, and integrity in everything he does, and it was my absolute honor to offer him a well-deserved promotion to Pharmacy Manager. We're thankful for Obi's service and proud to have so many incredible pharmacists on #TeamWalmart. You don't want to miss this inspiring episode!

The guest for this Huddle episode needs no introduction: Kevin Costner has been part of all our lives for many years! He also personifies many of the traits we strive for at Walmart: reinventing ourselves, staying true to who we are, and delivering quality.  It was so fun to have Kevin join us at our 2024 Walmart U.S. Holiday Meeting, in Orlando, Florida. You can imagine how thousands of our associates reacted when he walked on stage! Kevin talked to the team about his work ethic, how he celebrates the holidays, and one of his products we sell in our stores and online. He even brought his band “Modern West,” and they put on an awesome performance!  I know you'll love this episode, where Kevin and I talk about how and when we found our personal “yellow brick roads” … and the difference Walmart is making in America.

We've had an exciting week in San Francisco, California, where we just wrapped up our Let's Grow! 2024 Walmart Marketplace Seller Summit for small businesses, inventors, and other sellers interested in joining our Walmart.com Marketplace. Marketplace allows us to offer customers hundreds of millions more items than we sell in our stores!  For this edition of the Huddle, I talked with Bill Pond, CEO of RTIC Outdoors. RTIC is a digitally-native brand that makes premium products like coolers and cups. They first partnered with Walmart by joining our Marketplace. As you'll hear Bill explain in this episode, that led to more sales and more customers for RTIC, then eventually having their products inside our U.S. stores. Today RTIC's products are sold both in our stores AND our Marketplace, and the two perfectly compliment each other.     It was especially fun to record this episode inside Walmart Store 100, which is where I started my Walmart career 31 years ago. So much has changed since then – particularly the opportunities we now have to sell many more items and fulfill many more orders in many more ways. But what hasn't changed? We're still so proud to welcome new sellers with new products, and help them grow WITH us. 

Walmart is a community of diverse individuals, each with their unique stories. Some joined us after pursuing other careers, some started with us and then moved onto something else. Then there are people like Anjie Robertson and myself who started with Walmart and saw it turn into a rewarding career. I met Anjie a couple months ago at our Manager Academy, where she shared she couldn't attend the Associates Week she was invited to 15 years ago, because of being promoted. Anjie politely asked if she could come this year, to one of the biggest and best family reunions and celebrations in the world! Anjie joined me for this episode of The Huddle, just after joining me on stage at our U.S. Associates meeting! We talked about her 30-year career with Walmart, how her experiences have shaped her people-centered approach to management, the importance of meeting people where they are, and what it truly means to go "all in.” We also talked about the memorable moment where Anjie recommended we begin an annual bonus program for our store associates. (Spoiler alert: we listen!) Anjie is an incredible associate with a magnetic personality, and her story shows what's possible when you take risks, believe in yourself, and go "all in" on your goals. I'm proud of Anjie for asking to come to Associates Week this year and I'm excited for you to hear her story in this episode. You won't want to miss it!

Yesterday, we celebrated the grand opening of Store 8861, our brand-new Walmart Neighborhood Market in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida! A grand opening is always filled with excitement, and this one was particularly special. It represents the first of the 150 new stores we're planning to build or convert in the next five years along with our ongoing efforts to remodel hundreds of our existing stores to better serve our customers.     In this episode of The Huddle, I had the pleasure to chat with Brandon, the Store Manager, at this beautiful new location. His journey with Walmart has been truly inspiring. When we was a Support Manager, he had the opportunity to assist in opening a new store in Gulfport, Mississippi, and has dreamt of opening a store as a Store Manager ever since. Today, he is living that dream and is thrilled to serve the Santa Rosa community! We talked about the unique aspects of this new store, including its proximity to the beach and the capacity to cater to both locals and tourists with a larger square footage, extensive assortment, and standout pharmacy. We also talked about all the amazing long-term associates who have transferred from other stores to support this new location, bringing a wealth of experience to help the new team thrive.     We're thrilled to bring nearly 100 new jobs to the area and look forward to providing outstanding service to all of our customers on Florida's Gulf Coast. Whether you're a local or visiting over the summer, we'd love to have you stop by and check out our new store! 

I started working with Walmart when I was in school. I was just hoping to earn some money for the summer — but I soon realized that working in a store taught me many things I couldn't have learned in a classroom. Real-world work experience is crucial, and that's why we're proud to be a partner of the NRF Foundation's RISE Up program. RISE Up has helped 40,000 learners learn about and experience the retail industry, and build foundational employability skills.  In this episode of The Huddle, I'm joined by John Marschhausen and Lori Messi from Dublin City Schools in Ohio, who were recognized by the Foundation for the amazing work they're doing immersing students from their district into local retailers. They have great advice for how organizations and institutions can take smart risks, engage with their communities, and build partnerships to change young people's lives. The work happening in Dublin showcases what's possible when we invest in the future leaders of tomorrow. I'm excited to see the next generation “RISE Up”!

When I think of people who share our mission of fostering holistic health, Ally Love immediately comes to mind. She's an on-air contributor for NBC's "Today” show, the CEO and founder of Love Squad, and a very popular Peloton instructor. I've had the opportunity to take many of Ally's classes and see how her dedication to fitness, wellness, and community is so inspiring to others. I was thrilled to have Ally join me on The Huddle, sharing her personal journey and passion for health – including how a life-changing accident at age nine shaped her perspective. We also talked about how she's used her platform of influence to motivate others and build “Love Squad,” which provides women of all backgrounds with community and career development resources. Ally is full of energy and positivity, and I know you'll feel inspired by her story and her advice for thriving both personally and professionally. No matter your age, your schedule, or the shape you're in, you can make whole health a priority every day!

We just wrapped up an amazing Year Beginning Meeting in Houston, and yesterday, our CEO Doug McMillon closed out YBM by splitting Walmart's stock for the first time since 1999! Doug joined me on The Huddle to discuss this exciting news – what it means, and how it will allow even more people to become shareholders in our company.  Of course, we also talked about our favorite group of Walmart shareholders: the 400,000 associates who own Walmart stock – many who buy it through our Associate Stock Purchase benefit program. I joined that program my very first day in 1993. Sam Walton once called it “the single best thing we ever did.”  Our associates act like owners every day, and we're delighted at how many truly ARE owners of the company because they own stock. And we're so excited to think of what's ahead for all of us as we keep serving more customers and growing our company. 

Erica Cole's life changed forever in college, when she lost her leg in a car crash. So many things became different, even getting dressed – Erica's clothes would not fit over her prosthetic leg.  Many would have given up in this situation, but Erica chose to create new clothes, and start an adaptive clothing company she now runs: No Limbits. No Limbits is creating accessible solutions for others with disabilities and sensory challenges, and Walmart is so proud to have them as a #WalmartSeller on Walmart Marketplace, where we sell more than 400 million items. Erica joined me for this season finale of The Huddle, sharing her inspiring story and the valuable lessons and experiences she's gained along the way – including securing a deal on Shark Tank! She also talks about being part of Walmart's adaptive shopping experience and the growing recognition of adaptive clothing as a vital category within the apparel market. At Walmart, we're dedicated to creating an inclusive shopping experience, from launching our Adaptive at Walmart page online to implementing sensory-friendly hours in all our U.S. stores. I know you'll be inspired by Erica's story of turning a problem into an opportunity! You can find products from No Limbits, along with whatever else you need on Walmart.com. Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season! 

As #VeteransDay approaches, I urge everyone to pause and appreciate the men and women who have served so bravely and selflessly to protect our country and freedoms. At Walmart, our commitment to supporting America's Veterans and their familiesruns deep. We're proud to have hired over 550,000 members of the military community over the last decade. Some of our newest Veteran associates have come though our Corporate Fellowship Program (CFP), which provides an innovative, 12-week experience that equips transitioning service members with professional training and hands-on learning to prepare for meaningful civilian careers. For this episode of The Huddle, I had the pleasure of talking with two current fellows – Juli and Quintin Plank. We talked about their experiences in the military, their journey to becoming part of the Walmart CFP, and their advice to other Veterans navigating to civilian life. Best of all? I was thrilled to surprise both Juli and Quintin with official offer letters to become Walmart associates! We can't wait for them to be part of our #WalmartFamily for many years to come. Happy #VeteransDay, to Juli, Quintin and all who have served. We can't thank you enough!  

As National Manufacturing Day approaches this Friday, we're proud to recognize the manufacturers behind Walmart products, who play a pivotal role in creating opportunities for our communities and workforce. Kent International Inc. is a great example of this. They've assembled millions of bikes at their South Carolina factory, including Walmart's Ozark Trail mountain bike line, and have been instrumental in revitalizing bicycle manufacturing in the U.S. In this episode of The Huddle, I join Arnold Kamler, CEO of Kent International Inc., at their Manning, SC factory to talk about his journey working with Walmart and how they've evolved our Ozark Trail line. Arnold also shares valuable advice for anyone considering establishing manufacturing assembly in the U.S. When I was a kid, my first bike was from Walmart – and I know many of our customers got their start cycling the same way. As you shop for the holidays, consider checking out Ozark Trail bikes, knowing the significant impact each one has on people right here in the United States.

As we celebrate our Driver and Tech Appreciation Week, I want to recognize our amazing associates in Walmart's Private Fleet who play a crucial role in keeping our stores stocked, and serving our partners and customers all over the country. I also want to shine a spotlight on Emmanuel - not only is he one of our great drivers, but he's also an amazing person whose story is the true embodiment of the American dream. Originally from Uganda, Emmanuel came to the U.S. 27 years ago to support his family back home. Despite the struggle to make ends meet and being encouraged to file for bankruptcy, he joined Walmart's Private Fleet in 2021 – and it changed everything. Emmanuel was able to pay off $38,000 in debt, avoid bankruptcy, improve his credit score by over 200 points, and even buy a home this summer – something he never thought would be possible.  In this episode of the Huddle, Emmanuel and I talk about his incredible journey and how his heart for service helped him overcome every hardship. He is a testament to the life-changing opportunities Walmart provides for our associates, and I know you'll be inspired listening to his story. We're so grateful to have Emmanuel and all our dedicated drivers and techs on our team, making the difference in countless lives every day. Thank you for all that you do! 

We've had a blast in Houston at Walmart U.S.'s Annual Holiday Meeting! Every year, we bring our teams together from across the country to get everyone geared up for an amazing holiday season – showcasing all the great deals and holiday items we know our customers will love. In this episode of The Huddle, Brittany Smith – VP of Merchandising for our U.S. toy business – joined me on the merch floor to talk about the cool toys everyone's excited about and the months of planning that happen behind the scenes to make all of this possible every year.   I hope you'll enjoy this fun episode and shop with Walmart for everything you need to celebrate the holidays – we have something for everyone!

This week we've been celebrating America's 247th birthday! Our Walmart U.S. team is honored to serve this great country, and one of the most impactful ways we do that is selling products that come from this country. We're proud that about 2/3rds of our product spend is on items made, grown or assembled in the U.S.  For this Huddle episode, I visited an Arkansas rice farm with one of our merchants, Melody Richard. Melody and I spoke to the farmer, Dustin, about how he grows his rice and what selling rice to Walmart means for him and his community.  There's also an exciting regeneration story: Walmart and our partners are working with Dustin and other Arkansas farmers to grow their rice using less water and with less greenhouse gas emissions. It's really exciting, and Melody explained it so well in this episode.  Please watch, and learn how even a single bag of rice can support livelihoods in America AND regeneration. 

At Walmart, our people have always driven our success. When I think of associates who are making the difference each day, I think of Marcie Bird. You may remember seeing Marcie on stage at Associates Week, where she shared her story about breaking barriers as the first Navajo Store Manager of Supercenter #906 in Gallup, NM.     I had the privilege of having Marcie join me for an episode of The Huddle. We talked about her remarkable journey of growing up on a Navajo reservation to becoming the leader of a store with 500 associates. She also shares great insight about setting a positive example in her store, community, and across the country.     Our people come from diverse backgrounds and bring unique life experiences, and Marcie's story is a powerful reminder that with hard work, resilience, and determination, anyone can thrive at Walmart. I know you'll enjoy this inspiring episode!

Memorial Day is a day is a day of deep meaning, as we reflect on the immense sacrifices that have been made to protect the freedoms we have today. My father was a Marine and Vietnam veteran, and he instilled in me a profound appreciation for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. In this episode of The Huddle, I'm joined by two incredible associates who exemplify the spirit of service and commitment: Stephanie, an Air National Guard Member, and Dell, a Marine Corps Veteran. Stephanie and Dell are two of the over 500,000 veterans and military spouses we've proudly hired the past ten years. In this episode, they talked about what Memorial Day means to them, how their service shaped their values, and how they're using their skills and passion for serving others here at Walmart. I hope you'll listen, and also take the time to pause on Monday and think about those who gave everything. Thank you to Stephanie, Dell, and all our servicemembers for your selflessness and courage. We are so grateful.

It's graduation season – and I know so many of us are thinking of the graduating students we know, and the sense of accomplishment, excitement, and nervousness they're feeling right now.  Every May, I think back to MY time as a student at the University of Arkansas. I'll never forget sitting in the back row of Dr. Jon Johnson's Business Strategy class, ­soaking up the knowledge and insights he had to offer. Although apparently not ALL of it, since I got a ‘B' in the class!   Dr. Johnson and I are friends to this day, even though we still like to give each other a hard time about that ‘B.' He joined me for this episode of The Huddle, and brought three of his most outstanding students – Sophia, Laurel, and Ali – who are all graduating with their MBAs this month. We talked about their experiences, their career goals and how they hope to apply the skills they've learned in class in the “real world.” We even had a little fun giving them a chance to take over the Huddle and ask me some questions.  If you're an upcoming graduate or navigating the next steps in your own career, this episode is for you. And to all the graduates out there – congratulations! I'm rooting for you, and can't wait to see the positive impact you'll make in the world.      

Someone once told me “your leadership is defined during the toughest times.” No one exemplifies that more than Alycia Mixon, the manager of Store #1841 in Chesapeake, VA. I met Alycia last November, under the most difficult circumstances imaginable – after losing 6 members of the Walmart family. Alycia's first instinct was to step up for her people in a way that few others could. When I first saw her, she was standing on a chair, speaking to her team with the perfect balance of confidence and compassion. I visited #1841 last week, just as they started welcoming back customers, and it was great to see Alycia bringing her team into a new era for the store. For this episode of the Huddle, I talked with Alycia about how she's continued to comfort and lead her team these past five months as they worked to remodel the store, build an outdoor memorial and reopen.   We're committed to helping everyone at #1841 move forward, even as we continue to mourn the loss of six beautiful lives: Randy, Jesus, Lorenzo, Kellie, Brian, and Tyneka. And we're so thankful for Alycia, who in the toughest of times, showed us what leadership looks like.

No matter where our associates are in life when they join Walmart, there are so many opportunities to grow and develop a career – and we are committed to investing in our people to help make their dreams a reality. Carvon Smith's story is an amazing example of this. Carvon started working at Walmart in 2015, taking a part-time role in maintenance while he was in school. He soon took on a bigger role – and then another – and in January Carvon became the Manager at Store #530 in El Dorado, AR!      In this episode of The Huddle, I talk with Carvon at his first Year Beginning Meeting as a Store Manager about his journey, and his advice for others looking to grow in their career. He shares great insight about the importance of building on your strengths, learning from others, and keeping a positive mindset when leading teams through challenges. I am so impressed by Carvon, and we can all learn something from his “fire and desire” to make the difference. 

HOW we do business matters, and we're dedicated to doing it the right way. That's why integrity is one of our core values at Walmart, and it's essential to our culture. Our associates, customers, investors, suppliers, and business partners choose Walmart because they know we are a business they can trust.  In this special edition of The Huddle, I talk with Walmart's Global Ethics Officer, Jelahn Stewart, about how our culture of integrity brought her to Walmart after two decades in government. From overseeing the U.S. Witness Protection Program, prosecuting felony cases, serving as Special Counsel in the U.S. Attorney's Office, and more – Jelahn embodies living with integrity, and she has great insight on how we can all do the same. I hope you'll listen to this important conversation, and I hope you commit to ALWAYS doing the right thing. 

We're coming to you live from Orlando, Florida, where thousands of associates from all over the country are attending our Walmart U.S. Year Beginning Meeting! This year's theme is “Turn it Up!,” and nobody is bringing that energy better than our new EVP for Store Operations, Cedric Clark. Cedric is competitive and loves to win – he's a former athlete. He's also a musician, creative, and curious guy who our store associates are going to love working for. In this episode, Cedric and I talked about his journey working for both Walmart & Sam's Club, what it means to be on a team, and what our Walmart team can do to build off our current momentum and do even more this year!

Every quarter, we get the opportunity to share our earnings results. I'm really proud we've seen historically unprecedented growth since this decade began – from our sales comps to our eCommerce business to operating income.   As we think about earnings, it's important to me we not only share the results but also help people understand what “earnings” means. That's why I am so excited for our newest episode of the Huddle, where I'm joined by our CFO, John David Rainey. If you've ever wondered why we do earnings, how it affects the day-to-day lives of our associates and customers, or how to put the numbers into a big picture perspective – you're going to love this one! John David has incredible experience and knowledge, and he does such a great job sharing how to make sense of it all. I hope you'll listen, learn, and feel as enthusiastic about the future as we do!

We're kicking off Season 4 of The Huddle in a BIG way. This first episode was filmed in front of an in-person audience at the National Retail Federation's NRF 2023 conference – known as “Retail's Big Show.” I'm proud to chair the NRF's Board of Directors, and I was thrilled to introduce the audience to a big-time guest: Dr. James Cash. I've known Dr. Cash for many years, and I am so inspired by his story.   In this episode, Dr. Cash talks about what drove him to break through so many hurdles and do things no one else had ever done – from becoming the first Black basketball player in the Southwest Conference to the first tenured Black faculty member at Harvard Business School. His mom taught him a mantra that he's always lived by: “If the elevator is broken, take the stairs.” I hope you'll watch this episode and see the incredible power displayed in Dr. Cash's perseverance

The holidays are a time of special moments and memories, and food plays a huge part. We treasure those delicious Thanksgiving and Christmas meals with our favorite dishes and family traditions.   For the Season 3 finale of the Huddle, I talked to John Laney, who runs Walmart's U.S. food business. John talked about some of his favorite items, and how HIS family does holiday meals for their family of 10! John and I were especially proud to share how Walmart was able to strip the inflation out of an entire basket of holiday food items, so our customers can serve this year's big meals at last year's price!   I hope you'll enjoy this episode, and I hope you'll come to Walmart for all your holiday needs. Thank you so much for tuning in this year. Happy holidays! 

On Veterans Day, we should all stop and think about the people who've served. We're so grateful for everything they've done, to allow us to live in safety and freedom.  On this episode of the Huddle, I was honored to speak with Chris Aragon - an incredible Veteran with a heart for service. Chris recently retired from the Marine Corps after a 30-year career, and was thinking of the next chapter for himself and his family. Fortunately for us, he learned about Walmart through our Find a Future and Hiring our Heroes Career Bridge programs and landed as an Outbound Operations Manager in Chino, California.  Chris is one of 80,000 Veterans and military spouses who have joined our team in the past year alone. They're now serving Walmart customers with the same level of excellence they served their country.  Listen to Chris talk about his career in the military, what drew him to Walmart, and what Veterans Day means to him.  Happy Veterans Day, and to Chris and every other Veteran: thank you!

Tyler Balsman started with Walmart as a People Greeter when he was 16, working his way to Store Manager in a community we've been in for a long time – Store 242 in Paola, Kansas. Four years ago, Tyler was excited to add another title to his resume: Kari's Dad. Tyler and his wife Danielle used Walmart's adoption benefit when they became the parents of their beautiful baby girl. Tyler joined me on the Huddle to talk about leading a small-town store that makes a big impact, making the decision to adopt, and how our adoption benefit and parental leave made the process easier. We also talked about how Walmart has expanded our adoption/surrogacy benefits from $5,000 to $20,000, and how our medical plan now supports fertility services. Families come in different shapes and sizes, and they start in many different ways. At Walmart, we're proud to support all of them!

Tammie Jo Shults was one of the U.S. Navy's first female fighter pilots. She later became a Southwest pilot, and in April 2018 she was piloting a flight from New York City to Dallas that experienced a sudden engine failure. The plane was down an engine, and the explosion broke a window – causing the cabin to quickly depressurize. Tammie Jo stayed calm, immediately rerouted the plane, landed in Philadelphia, and even went back to speak with her passengers afterward. It was an honor to have Tammie Jo join me on the Huddle to talk about the experience, leadership, how she's persevered against offenses, and how we must always “keep our wings level.”

Our private fleet drivers are the best-of-the-best. They safely drive millions of miles on the roads, keeping our entire business going. We're also proud to offer one of the best driving jobs out there! A new driver can now earn up to $110,000 in their first year with us, and we recently launched the Private Fleet Development Program which pays for Walmart associates to earn their commercial licenses. Levor Franklin is a recent graduate of that program, and we spent some time on the road for this new episode of The Huddle. Levor is a great driver and fantastic 18-year associate, and I'm excited for you to see him at work in this episode. And THANK YOU to all of our incredible drivers and technicians! We appreciate you.

It was so cool having Jay Leno join The Huddle. He's a famous comedian, television host, writer, and supplier for Walmart! They were in Michigan for the Woodward Dream Cruise which is North America's largest celebration of automotive culture - and, of course, Mr. Sam's truck made an appearance. Jay is passionate about cars and started his own line of car care products called “Jay Leno's Garage” about a decade ago. His items are developed, made and shipped from the U.S. and have been on our store shelves for a couple of years now. Listen to this new episode to hear Jay's advice on how to keep innovating, make products that can reach more people, and ultimately - deliver and care for each customer.

It's been such a great week in Denver, CO, connecting with our teams at the Walmart U.S. Holiday Meeting! Getting to talk items, prepare for the upcoming season, and spend time with associates in person is always energizing - especially when they're as passionate as Leidy Diaz. Leidy is the Store Manager at 2090 in Franklin, NJ. She moved to America from Colombia at 19 years old, has been with the company three years, and has been serving as SM for about a year. This was her first time coming to the Holiday meeting, and she loved getting to share experiences with fellow managers from across the country. Listen to this new episode of The Huddle to hear why some consider Leidy to be the mayor of her community.

Kellie Romack joined me on The Huddle from a store in Dallas, TX! She spends a lot of time in the field as SVP of Associate and Retail Product Experience. When we talk about "product" in the experience space, we're talking about mobile apps our frontline associates use on a daily basis. Kellie and her team design and build these apps to simplify the work for our associates, save them time, and help them better serve our customers and members. Listen to this episode to hear Kellie talk about how her team focuses on listening to our associates and how quickly they can create a solution!

Ken Chenault is someone I really admire. He was a very successful and respected CEO of American Express, and today he's the Chairman and Managing Director of General Catalyst. He's also the co-founder of OneTen, whose mission is to upskill, hire and advance one million Black Americans over the next 10 years into family-sustaining jobs with opportunities for advancement. It was an honor to talk to Ken about leadership and culture, and how we can help create opportunities for individuals and society. Listen to this new episode to hear how you can emerge as a leader.

Olé Mexican Foods is one of our incredible suppliers – and a truly inspirational American success story. Veronica Moreno started the company in her home with just one tortilla machine, and today she employs hundreds of people across several communities. I recently had the pleasure of touring Olé's Texas facilities and talking with Veronica and her son Edgar about the Olé story, and how they're continuing to expand and invest. Walmart is passionate about supporting American entrepreneurs and businesses. This week, we held our ninth annual Open Call where more than 1,100 businesses from across the country pitched their products for a chance to see them on store shelves, Walmart.com, or our Walmart Marketplace. And we've pledged to spend an additional $350 billion over the next 10 years on products made, grown, or assembled in the U.S. That investment will support the creation of an estimated 750,000 new U.S. jobs. It's amazing to think of the difference we can make for so many lives by buying and selling products that support American jobs. I hope you'll join me in reflecting on that this weekend as we celebrate our nation's 246th birthday. Happy Fourth of July, and thank you!

We want to help save people money so they can live better - that's what we're here for. It was great having Seth Dallaire, Walmart U.S. Chief Revenue Officer, join John Furner on The Huddle to talk about our first-quarter earnings results. He's been with the company for six months now and has been focused on asking questions to learn how to better serve our customers and members across the country. Listen to this new episode to hear how we're navigating different dynamics while keeping merchandising and customers at the forefront.

A business can't successfully serve its customers and members without the work of everyone on the team. Steven Williams, CEO of PepsiCo Foods North America, recently joined The Huddle with John Furner to talk about that principle, and the importance of focusing on frontline associates. Listen to this new episode to learn how both companies work together on big topics like racial justice, equity and sustainability to make sure we're making a difference for current and future generations.

It was great spending time at the new Moosejaw store in Bentonville with CEO Eoin Comerford. Moosejaw is an outdoor retailer in the Walmart family of brands that helps people from all walks of life discover the outdoors: first-time cyclists, campers, hikers, runners - anyone and everyone wanting to explore. Listen to this new episode of the Huddle to hear how product trends and categories have changed over the last couple of years, and why sustainability and inclusivity are core pillars for Moosejaw.

The first thing Erin Middleton did after learning FC 4085 won Fulfillment Center of the Year was give credit to her team. Erin has grown with the company into her current position of General Manager at the Davenport, FL, facility and is an extraordinary example of leadership. She recognizes the significant roles we all play in making a difference for our customers every day. John Furner was grateful to have her on the Huddle during our Year Beginning Meeting, and encourages you to listen to her words of advice - be present, bring your authentic self, and never underestimate the positive impact you can make on those around you.

For the first time in a couple years, we were able to hold our Walmart U.S. Year Beginning Meeting in person! It's so energizing to be in Houston, connecting with the entire team from across the country. We're spending time this week talking about resetting our expectations for FY23. We've all been through so much, and while things won't go back to the way they were - we're excited to start having a bit more fun with merchandise. Charles Redfield was recently promoted to Chief Merchandising Officer for Walmart U.S. and he joined John Furner from the Merch floor to talk about how we're always innovating to provide the best items for our customers and members.

Today we released our Q4 Earnings results, and we achieved the biggest quarter our business has ever had! Our eCommerce business has grown more than 70% compared to two years ago, and we've moved quickly to convert our stores into true hybrid locations – used for both in-person shopping AND online fulfillment. John Furner talked more about this with Tom Ward, our EVP and Chief eCommerce Officer, in a special Earnings edition of The Huddle. Tom is a long-time associate who was an architect of our Pickup and Delivery capabilities and was recently leading our Last Mile innovations. Thank you again for another strong quarter, and now let's keep it up!

There is so much to reflect on and be thankful for this year. A really special moment for John Furner was recording this Huddle episode with Marc Brock, who recently celebrated 14 years with the company and was promoted to Store Manager of 1560 in Las Vegas, NV! The first thing Marc did was appreciate his team and call his mother, Dorothy. It was such a great reminder of what really matters. All of us have family members, loved ones and friends who helped us become the people we are today. Marc is such a great example of being an engaged and positive leader - and we know many of our associates will look to him as proof that hard work, determination and passion can lead to amazing opportunities at Walmart. We're so proud of all we've accomplished this year, and hope everyone gets the chance to enjoy the holidays with your loved ones. You deserve it! And make sure you watch until the very end of the full episode to see our surprise for Dorothy!

Veterans Day is a really important day for our country, and it's a special day at Walmart. Our founder, Sam Walton, was an Army veteran - and so many of our associates have served. Since 2013, we've hired more than 400,000 veterans and military spouses to join our team, like Rhonda Jeter and Glenn Garay. Rhonda served in the Air Force for 10 years, is a loyal Walmart associate and was recently promoted to Store Manager at Store 399 in Longview, TX! Glenn is a first-generation American from Colombia, served 24 years in the Air Force and joined Walmart just two months ago as the first fellow hired in Global Tech through the Hiring our Heroes fellowship. They both have incredible stories and joined The Huddle with John Furner to talk about what serving our country has meant to them and the opportunities at Walmart for veterans.

We're grateful to have passionate people on our team like Dr. John Wigneswaran. Wig, as he likes to be called, is our Chief Medical Officer and joined Walmart after years in the medical field - he started in radiology, specialized in nephrology, and worked in the pharmaceutical industry, medical devices, dialysis, and most recently the pharmacy space. Wig shared firsthand the impact our pharmacy associates have on care and the relationship they build with their patients. We appreciate everything our pharmacy teams do every day, especially throughout the pandemic, and they are rightfully in the spotlight for National Pharmacy Week. Dr. Wig wanted to join Walmart because he saw how invested we are in providing accessible, affordable, human-centered care to associates and communities, and we're lucky to have him on our incredible team.