This just in: Associates around the world are accomplishing amazing results!
A couple reclines in their comfy armchairs, getting ready to relax in front of the TV. The pair flips through channels, looking for something exciting to watch as they enjoy coffee, and eventually land on “The Morning Cup with Kath!”
This may seem like a pretty typical morning, but the two channel surfers are on stage at the University of Arkansas’ Barnhill Arena. International associates watch from their seats, realizing that Walmart International CEO Kath McLay would not only be hosting the International Celebration meeting, but that the entire meeting would be held as a series of TV specials.
All about you
When Kath walked onto the stage, the tone was set: “This morning is all about you,” she said with a smile.
Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon joined Kath on stage for her opening segment and shared a trip down memory lane, recalling his first Associates Week in 1984.
Since that Shareholders, plenty has changed, but one constant remains: Associates Week is always about celebrating associates. “We know how hard you work, and we know what it takes to grow a retail business day after day after day,” Doug said. “There’s a lot of gratitude for what you do.”
And as for looking forward, he had some big thoughts: “This next decade is going to be the decade of Walmart International,” he said. “I can see a future that’s very bright.”
Kath added, “The stage is set for us, but it’s up to us to perform.”
Giving back in Mexico and Central America
In a year of many firsts, the very first President’s Innovation Award was presented to the Beneficios Program team — of which 54% of Mexico’s adult population participate in.
With a flip of the virtual channel, we learned about a program that supports small farmers in Mexico and Central America.
A small farm in Costa Rica had been struggling, but with training and support from Walmart, they increased their production, created jobs and started thriving. “When local communities thrive, we flourish,” said Cristina Ronski, CEO of Walmart Central America.
In another inspiring instance of associates serving the community, we learned about the Associate Support Program, which helps associates achieve meaningful goals and in times of need. With this program, we’ve empowered over 5,000 associates to complete their education.
When dancers from Mexico and Central America took to the stage, there was a sparkling energy that came from more than their glittering outfits.
Big growth energy at Walmart Canada
Another click of the remote, and we switched channels to Walmart Canada and the “Walmart Canada News Network.” Venessa Yates, CEO of Walmart Canada, took to the stage.
Venessa recalled the harsh winter that greeted her when she moved to Canada and the explosive growth that took place in spring. Walmart Canada, she said, has that same energy right now — “big growth energy!”
Gui Loureiro, regional CEO of Walmart Canada, Central America, Chile and Mexico, expanded on that message, noting the investments we’re making in Walmart Canada in a special “breaking news” segment.
“In Canada, just like across our entire international business, our success depends on a formula,” he shared. That formula? Price, assortment and experience.
Gui shared an inspiring example of how Walmart Canada keeps setting the bar higher: In Quebec, a greenhouse on the roof of a Walmart grows fresh produce that’s picked and delivered to the store each day. “It doesn’t get fresher than this!” exclaimed Gui.
Vanessa closed with a directive: “Alright team Canada — let’s grow.”
Delivering on our promise in China
Next, we heard the latest from Walmart China. Christina Zhu, CEO of Walmart China started off by teaching us her associates’ version of the Walmart cheer.
Christina went on to recall what shopping looked like before Walmart came to China 29 years ago. Her parents would get up at 4:30 am on Sunday — their only day off — to go to the market. It was the only way to get a good meal on the table, but there was no guarantee for food safety, quality or price.
Walmart solved that problem. Today, customers can enjoy fresh food at great prices. “We brought Walmart to China and with that our promise arrived,” Christina said. “Save money, live better.”
And we just keep growing from there. Sam’s Club membership grew by 35% this year, with eight new clubs opening. “We are becoming our customers’ best next-door neighbor,” Christina said. Customers and members can have the best of all worlds with online stores, home delivery and retail stores — omnichannel convenience at its best.
The words of Sam Walton floated above Christina on the stage: “Commit to your business. Believe in it more than anybody else.” She closed by saying, “Let’s do something even more amazing — together.”
Leading with heart in South Africa
Our TV viewers then switched back to “Morning Cup with Kath!” and Walmart’s Chairman of the Board Greg Penner took the stage. He shared the qualities that are important in leaders: “It starts with humility. It’s a willingness to acknowledge that none of us as leaders have all the answers,” Greg said. At the end of the day, a good leader is always trying to be better at serving our customers. “I couldn’t be more excited about what you all are doing.”
Next, the Helen R. Walton Excellence in Community Award was presented by Andrea Albright, executive vice president and chief growth officer, and Michael Ehret, senior vice president and chief people officer, both of Walmart International. This prestigious award honors associates who go above and beyond in supporting their community.
And that describes this year’s winners perfectly: the Project Grow team. This team planted a community garden at their distribution center in South Africa, so associates could bring the produce home. But they didn’t stop there. They also shared the fresh food with community members in need.
“Project Grow has become so much more than a garden,” Michael said. “It represents the philosophy of Ubuntu: I am because you are.” These associates lead with heart and serve with purpose.
In that spirit, Massmart CEO Miles van Rensburg, Chief Supply Chain Officer Khetho Nyawose and Operations Strategy Enablement Executive Vuyo Sandla stepped onto the stage to celebrate some of Massmart’s latest accomplishments. Not least of these was the new maize meal from its Econo private brand. Massmart sold 2,700 tons of the meal in Q1 alone.
Bringing convenience to the forefront in Chile
Cristián Barrientos, CEO, and Macarena Garay, CFO and VP of real estate at Walmart Chile, talked about our multi-year investment in infrastructure and technology, which will allow us to build new stores and supply channels — making shopping more convenient even in the most remote areas.
Next, Integrity in Action Awards were presented by Chris Cyrenne, chief ethics and compliance officer, Walmart International. These awards recognize associates who go above and beyond when it comes to what we stand for, doing the right thing even when nobody is watching.
And the below associates are shining examples of those values in practice.
- Brenda Leticia Rivera Cordon, perishables manager, Store 419, La Entrada Copan, Honduras
- Martin Rafael Morales, head of maintenance, Bodega Aurrera Santa Ines Det. 3167, Mexico
- Jashandeep Kaur, asset protection associate, Store 3196, St. John’s East, Newfoundland, Canada
- Thusliswa Mbatali, admin supervisor, Jumbo Cash and Carry Maclear, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- José Nahuelhual, operational sales deputy manager, Lider 798, Lo Blanco, Chile
- Yunhao Ouyang, bulk sales supervisor, Hypermart 2717, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
- Stalin Sambandham, lead specialist, quality, home, Walmart Sourcing, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
- Ankush Kumar, lead, Sortation Center, Flipkart, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
When Kath returned, she reminded us of our purpose: Save money, live better. “And if we do that well, we can make a huge difference,” she said.
“We can make a difference in how we show up in our communities.” Her parting words were, “Take with you this one thing: We have the opportunity to turn up with kindness every day.” Closing out in the best way we know how — with the Walmart cheer — the associates filed out of Barnhill Arena to continue to do just that: turn up with kindness.
There’s more Associates Week excitement on the way, so follow along all week on Workvivo and Walmart World social accounts — and don’t forget to follow #WMT2025!
