Walmart has been making some major changes lately—and it the momentum will only continue as we head into 2026. From corporate changes and technology upgrades to exciting new wellness products and even sports partnerships, the retail giant is undergoing lots of transformations. Some of these changes have already begun rolling out, while others are expected to go into full swing starting next year.
Here’s what’s coming to Walmart in 2026.
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1. Leadership Change
Walmart leadership is about to see its biggest change in more than a decade. Current CEO Doug McMillon will retire on January 31, 2026, after over ten years in the position. The role will then be handed to John Furner—a longtime Walmart executive who, like McMillon, began his career as an hourly worker. He’s expected to officially take over on February 1, 2026, and will lead the company into its next chapter while McMillon remains on Walmart’s board through the following shareholders' meeting.
2. Potential Closures
According to retail experts, as leadership shifts, closures could be coming. With new leadership often comes new strategy—and experts say store changes could follow. Greg Zakowicz, an ecommerce and retail advisor to Omnisend, told The Sun that Walmart may close a "handful of underperforming stores over the next year or so" as Furner settles into the role. The idea wouldn’t be to downsize massively, but rather to streamline operations and reduce costs. He notes that closures would likely be small and not expected to impact hourly workers on a large scale. Nothing is confirmed, but it’s definitely one to watch.
3. AI Shopping
Walmart is leaning into AI—and soon, shopping could become as easy as sending a message, Newsweek reports. The company has already announced a new feature that will allow customers to instantly check out through ChatGPT, meaning you could restock household essentials, reorder past purchases, or discover new items with simple prompts. Walmart hasn’t revealed the exact launch date yet, but predictions point toward wider rollout in 2026.
4. Major League Soccer Partnership
Sports fans, get ready—Walmart has officially entered the soccer arena, Best Life reports. After announcing a multi-year partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS), shoppers will see more soccer merch, game-day essentials, and fan experiences both online and in stores. Expect in-person and digital activations at matches and events, plus exclusive content through a new MLS creator network. In 2026, the retail giant plans to launch programming that brings fans even closer to the sport’s culture and community.
5. Expanding Wellness Products
Wellness girlies, rejoice! Walmart has been steadily growing its wellness department, and 2026 will bring even more health-focused products to shelves. The retailer now carries over 50 wellness brands, including buzzy, clinically-backed newcomers like Nutrafol and Ritual. As consumers become increasingly interested in wellness, Walmart says it wants to offer a bigger assortment of vitamins, supplements, and lifestyle products to help shoppers meet personal health goals. We can likely expect brand expansions and offerings in the new year!
6. Changes in Hourly Raises
Walmart is also updating how hourly workers earn raises, News Nation Now reports. Instead of increases being based only on length of service, pay growth will now factor in performance and tenure combined. The company has already started rolling out this change across U.S. stores, where the average frontline associate wage currently sits around $18 per hour.
