Walmart, the largest private employer in the United States, announced it would cut about 1.500 jobs as part of a restructuring to reduce costs and streamline operations, Reuters reported, citing an internal company memo.
The cuts will affect the global technology operations teams, U.S. store e-commerce and the Walmart Connect advertising division. The goal, according to the document, is to “accelerate progress toward experiences that will define the future of retail.”
The restructuring includes not only eliminating some positions, but also opening new roles. In February, Walmart had already closed its office in North Carolina, relocating employees to its main hubs in California and Arkansas.
With 1,6 million employees in the United States and 2,1 million worldwide, Walmart is also America’s largest importer, with 60 percent of its imports – including apparel, electronics and toys – coming from China.
The economic context is also complicated for other giants in the sector: Target has revised downward its annual sales estimates after a sharp drop in sales in stores, attributing the decline to low consumer confidence and the effects of the trade war triggered by President Trump.
