Walmart is reportedly cutting hundreds of corporate positions as it transforms into an omnichannel enterprise.
According to Bloomberg, affected employees work in departments including store planning, logistics, and real estate. Walmart confirmed to Bloomberg that it is conducting layoffs but declined to discuss any specifics until it completed internal communication with employees.
In an email to Bloomberg, Walmart said it is “continuing on our journey to create an omnichannel organization within our Walmart U.S. business” with the goal of increasing “innovation, speed and productivity.” Walmart’s action comes as another major retail organization, Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works parent L Brands, is laying off 850 corporate employees as part of a larger $400 million cost reduction initiative.
Sources at Walmart indicated that employees in departments including transportation, human resources and product design are also being laid off, and merchandising personnel could be terminated, as well. Some laid-off employees may be allowed to apply for other jobs within the company.