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'Tough choices' | Walmart trims 1,500 jobs in operations overhaul

Walmart Supercentre blue storefront exterior

Walmart is cutting approximately 1,500 roles across its US operations, as part of a strategic restructuring effort aimed at streamlining the business and accelerating growth in core areas.

The move will affect workers in global technology, e-commerce fulfillment tied to US stores, and its advertising division, Walmart Connect.

The retail giant says the cuts are part of a larger realignment plan designed to enhance how the company delivers on its customer experience goals. In a memo seen by Reuters, Walmart said it was making tough choices to better position the organization for what it described as “the future of retail.”

While eliminating some positions, the company also signalled that it would create new roles as part of the restructure, suggesting a shift in workforce composition rather than shrinkage.

Focus areas include tech and advertising

The nation’s largest private employer with approximately 1.6 million US workers, and its biggest importer, it is consolidating resources in areas critical to digital growth, with a particular emphasis on its global tech team and Walmart Connect, both central to its omnichannel strategy.

The advertising unit, Walmart Connect, has become a priority growth engine for the retailer, and the technology division supports logistics, data infrastructure and digital experience. Fulfillment operations for online orders processed through physical stores are also being reshaped, as Walmart looks to unify physical and digital retail efforts more efficiently.

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The memo says that operational simplification will help Walmart “deliver the experiences that will define the future of retail,” pointing to continued investment in areas tied closely to innovation and customer engagement.

Restructuring continues amid external pressures

This latest round of job reductions follows earlier cuts in February, when Walmart closed its North Carolina office and shifted staff to central hubs in California and Arkansas. Although some job losses were expected as part of these consolidations, the scope of the current restructuring has reignited concerns among HR leaders about workforce stability during ongoing transformation.

The announcement also comes as Walmart responds to external economic challenges. The company recently confirmed it will raise prices on select items, citing supply chain cost pressures related to US-China trade dynamics.

Walmart imports roughly 60% of its international goods from China, including categories such as electronics, toys and apparel. As a result, it continues to absorb the ripple effects of Trump's on/off tariff policies while trying to maintain margins and strategic momentum.

While the overall headcount remains significant, Walmart’s intends to operate a leaner and more targeted workforce model going forward, with a new focus on adaptability and efficiency.

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