Walmart has announced a leadership change at the top of its international business, with Kathryn McLay set to step down as Chief Executive Officer of Walmart International at the end of January 2026. The company said McLay will formally exit the role on January 31 and will stay on through the first quarter to support continuity and handover arrangements.
McLay’s departure comes at a time of broader leadership transition at the Bentonville headquartered retailer. Just two months ago, Walmart disclosed that long serving CEO Doug McMillon would step aside after a 12 year tenure, with US business head John Furner named as his successor. Walmart has not yet disclosed who will take over the international division, stating that an announcement is expected in the coming weeks.
An Australian national, McLay joined Walmart in 2015 and steadily rose through the ranks. She was appointed CEO of Walmart International in August 2023, taking charge of a business that generates more than $100 billion in annual revenue and spans 18 countries. Before that, she led Sam’s Club during the pandemic years, overseeing a period of strong execution that resulted in 12 consecutive quarters of double digit sales growth for the warehouse club chain.
People familiar with the matter said McLay’s exit is not linked to any internal disagreement. Walmart has also not indicated whether the leadership change signals a shift in its international strategy. The company’s overseas operations include key growth markets such as China and India, which have played an increasingly important role in its global expansion.
In its most recent quarterly results, Walmart International reported net sales of $33.5 billion, marking a year on year increase of 10.8 percent, underlining the scale and momentum of the division McLay led.
Commenting on her time at the company, McLay said Walmart had given her the opportunity to create meaningful impact and expressed gratitude for her journey with the organisation. As Walmart prepares to name her successor, attention will remain on how the retailer steers its international portfolio amid leadership changes at the top.
