By Siddharth Cavale -In 2020, as COVID-19 raged, John Furner - then chief of Walmart's largest U.S. division - consulted colleagues in China, drawing on their pandemic playbook to swiftly adjust inventory forecasts and fulfillment operations to stay ahead of panic buying.

Walmart’s run as America’s largest retailer appeared to be in jeopardy when Doug McMillon became Walmart’s chief executive 11 years ago.

John Furner started working for Walmart in 1993. His career with the company has spanned the globe, positioning him to take the top job next year.

Furner started at Walmart in 1993, and currently oversees the most important segment of the company’s business.

Doug McMillon, who will exit in January, has steered the retail giant to new heights through a pandemic, high inflation and political upheaval.

John Furner will become the retail giant’s fifth CEO since founder Sam Walton.