Walmart chief steps up as the unlikely archetype of new-age CEO

Walmart’s Doug McMillon just took over as the chief spokesman for Corporate America, and he’s not wasting any time taking action.

On Friday, the Walmart chief executive said the retailer will stop selling e-cigarettes in its more than 5,300 US locations, displaying a tendency toward action that the company has typically lacked.

The announcement supports the emerging narrative that Walmart’s 52-year-old CEO is unafraid to take stands on national hot-button issues. McMillon has already limited ammunition sales in the wake of two deadly shootings at Walmart stores, criticised President Donald Trump’s post-Charlottesville remarks, pledged environmentally friendly changes to its supply chain and called for Congress to boost the minimum wage.