Walmart Mixes Business, Music At Annual Meeting; Peformers Included Harry Connick Jr., Pharrell, Florida Georgia Line

Walmart Mixes Business, Music At Annual Meeting

STAFF PHOTO JASON IVESTER Doug McMillon, Walmart chief executive officer, takes a selfie with employees in the crowd Friday during the annual Shareholders Meeting at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.
STAFF PHOTO JASON IVESTER Doug McMillon, Walmart chief executive officer, takes a selfie with employees in the crowd Friday during the annual Shareholders Meeting at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Doug McMillon started a trend early in Walmart's annual shareholder meeting -- he took a selfie with a distribution center worker from Alabama.

Soon everyone wanted in on the act including Harry Connick Jr., the meeting's master of ceremonies. Connick tweeted, "Who looks more like the @Walmart CEO? me or doug mcmillon? #hedoes #WMTShares."

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This was McMillon's first meeting as the company's president and chief executive officer. He took over the leadership role Feb. 1.

McMillon began his Walmart career in 1984 as a hourly summer worker in the Bentonville distribution center. He spent time leading both Sam's Cub and Walmart International.

He shared memories of helping decorate the Bentonville High School gym for the annual meeting shortly after he started working for the retailer.

"I thought that was a big meeting," he said.

About 14,000 filed into Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville by 7 a.m. for the start of the meeting that included a bit of business and lot of entertainment.

Performing during the three-and-a-half hour event were Pharrell Williams, Robin Thicke, Florida Georgia Line, Sarah McLachlan and Aloe Blacc.

"Are you happy?" Rob Walton, chairman of Walmart's board, asked after Pharrell sang his hit song, "Happy," to open the show.

Charles Holley, Walmart's chief financial officer, said the company had $473 billion in sales and a $28 billion profit last year. The company's profit is equal to that of the world's next five largest retailers combined, he said.

Rosalind Brewer, president and CEO of Sam's Club, said the club added 3.5 million members and held 20 grand openings last year.

Walmart Global eCommerce leader Neil Ashe said his division filed more than 300 patents in the same period.

Bill Simon, president and CEO of Walmart U.S., said the company is investing in new concepts and programs to help employees.

"We are redefining what it means to work at Walmart and we're going to be ever clearer about what it takes for associates to advance," he said to cheers.

McMillon outlined three core principles: being customer-driven, investing in employees and being at the forefront of innovation and technology.

"We will lead with urgency to get ahead of change," he said.

NW News on 06/07/2014

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