Walmart CEO Doug McMillon Shares Future Plans for India Amid Global Challenges

Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon recently highlighted the company’s commitment to fair policies and local sourcing in all markets, including India. Speaking to the Economic Times, McMillon emphasized Walmart’s ability to navigate tariff challenges through diversified sourcing and reiterated the company's focus on creating jobs and supporting local suppliers.

McMillon revealed Walmart’s ambitious goal to source $10 billion worth of goods annually from India by 2027. He stated the company would announce the next set of targets for India once this milestone is reached. “We prefer to buy locally, create jobs, and benefit from shorter lead times, especially in food and consumables,” McMillon noted.

On the regulatory front, McMillon stressed the importance of clear, consistent, and transparent rules in India. He explained that while Walmart engages with governments to share views on policy improvements, the company strictly complies with existing regulations. Currently, Walmart-owned Flipkart, like Amazon, cannot hold inventory or sell directly to consumers in India, unlike local players such as Reliance Retail and Tata Group. McMillon expressed interest in inventory management but left policy decisions to regulators.

Addressing tariffs, McMillon shared that Walmart’s experienced merchants have managed such challenges since 2018 by adjusting sourcing strategies. “We prioritize buying locally to support jobs and reduce lead times, which is easier for food items than general merchandise,” he said.

He reaffirmed Walmart’s dedication to keeping prices low worldwide, saying, “Low prices are in our DNA, and we aim to offer better value than competitors.” McMillon remains optimistic about Walmart’s progress in India and confirmed that Walmart will continue sourcing from both India and China, with new India goals to be announced post-2027.