Walmart Inc President and Chief Executive Officer John Furner, who is on a visit to India, said the retail major looks at India as not just a growth market, but as a model for the future of retail. He said India is a growth platform and a key global sourcing hub for Walmart.
Furner took over the reins at Walmart in February, replacing Doug McMillon. His visit comes at a time when PhonePe has received SEBI approval for listing at the bourses, while Flipkart is also said to be preparing for an IPO by next year.
In his remarks at an event held in Delhi, he noted, ”After more than 30 years in India, we still believe we’re early in our journey. That’s because India represents something really powerful: a unique combination of entrepreneurship, leading edge sourcing and supply capabilities, and digital innovation. And that creates real opportunity — for all of us.”
He said that Walmart is building an ecosystem that supports its customers’ lives, with Flipkart enabling eCommerce access across the country, while PhonePe drives financial inclusion at scale. “Myntra is leading in fashion and digital engagement. Our sourcing teams are connecting Indian businesses to customers around the world. And our technology teams continue driving innovation across the enterprise. Together, we’re creating a platform for growth — for sellers, suppliers, and entrepreneurs at every stage,” Furner noted.
“India is already one of our most important sourcing markets, with over $40 billion sourced across key categories. And we see even more ahead as more MSMEs join global supply chains and as more women-led and digital-first businesses grow,” he noted.
He said the company’s Vriddhi programme supports 115,000 entrepreneurs with digital training, mentorship, and access to Walmart and Flipkart marketplaces.
Reiterating Walmart’s commitment to India, Furner said the company believes strongly in India’s growth story