The Huddle with John Furner

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!

In this episode, John Furner visits an Arkansas rice farm with Walmart merchant Melody Richard to learn about rice production and its impact on the community. They also discuss a partnership to grow rice using less water and greenhouse gas emissions, promoting regeneration. Topics include the importance of the rice industry in Arkansas, technological advancements in farming, optimizing water usage, supporting sustainable farming practices, and the potential of regenerative farming.

Marcie Bird, the first Navajo Store Manager of Supercenter #906 in Gallup, NM, shares her journey from growing up on a Navajo reservation to leading a store with 500 associates. She discusses setting a positive example in her store and community, the importance of being a role model, and connecting with people as a Walmart store manager to create a positive impact.

Stephanie, an Air National Guard Member, and Dell, a Marine Corps Veteran, discuss what Memorial Day means to them, their military service shaping their values, and how they serve others at Walmart. They emphasize the importance of honoring the sacrifices made by veterans on Memorial Day.

The host reminisces about his time as a student and reconnects with his former professor and MBA students. They discuss the benefits of higher education and offer advice. The speakers highlight the importance of networking, trust, and innovation in the changing world of work. They share personal stories about embracing risk and doing hard things. Walmart's efforts to transform the shopping experience and their focus on leadership styles are also discussed.

In this podcast, Alycia Mixon, the manager of Store #1841 in Chesapeake, VA, shares her leadership journey during the toughest times. The episode discusses the reopening of the store after renovation, the team's involvement in the design process, unique aspects of the store like the memorial for lost associates, and how Alycia's military upbringing influenced her leadership style.

A Walmart associate, Carvon Smith, shares his inspiring journey from part-time maintenance to store manager. He highlights the importance of building on strengths, learning from others, and maintaining a positive mindset. The podcast explores motivation, innovation, and making an impact, as well as the experience of being a new store manager.

This podcast explores the importance of integrity in business. Jelahn Stewart, Walmart's Global Ethics Officer, shares her journey and insights on making ethical decisions. The podcast also emphasizes Walmart's commitment to integrity and features stories of second chances and misconduct reporting.

Former athlete and musician Cedric Clark joins John Furner to talk about his journey working for Walmart and Sam’s Club and the value of teamwork. They also discuss the process of interviewing leaders within the company and upcoming company events.

Join John Furner as he chats with John David Rainey, Walmart's CFO, about the unprecedented growth of the company. They discuss Walmart's strong financial performance, inventory management, and transformation into an omnichannel retailer. They also highlight the importance of Walmart's value proposition, convenience, and passionate associates.