Wal-Mart to Cut at Least 700 HQ Jobs, Add Store Level Positions

Bentonville, Ark. Wal-Mart Stores is the latest chain to jump into the wave of job cuts washing over retail America. The retail behemoth announced Tuesday that it will cut between 700 and 800 jobs across its Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club home offices. The retailer has approximately 14,000 employees at its Bentonville, Ark.-based corporate office.

The cuts are in Wal-Mart's real estate, apparel and health-and-wellness departments, according to company spokesman David Tovar, who said employees will be told of the cuts in the next couple of weeks.

But the company also plans to add jobs at its New York apparel office and expects "to add thousands of jobs in our stores and clubs this year" — a figure that includes hires at new stores, according to Tovar.

The retailer will also add new positions in operations that are taking on greater importance, he said. For instance, given Wal-Mart's increased focus on renovating and relocating stores, the company will add jobs in that area.

In another shift, Wal-Mart is moving positions in its apparel buying and planning group from Bentonville, Ark., to New York City.

"New York City is the fashion hub, and we needed to have more people located there," Tovar said.

Workers whose jobs are cut would be paid for 60 additional days and will receive health coverage for that time. Those eligible will be given severance pay, based on their tenure. Tovar said the company would waive its policy of not letting employees immediately take jobs with vendors, and outplacement services would be available.