The layoff announcement comes less than a week after the company got steamy with President Donald Trump as it increased tariff prices.
Trump tells Walmart to “eat tariffs” instead of raising prices
President Donald Trump said Saturday that Walmart should “eat tariffs” rather than condemn the obligations imposed by his managers on imports due to increased retailers’ prices.
Reuters
Walmart has fired about 1,500 corporate employees from various departments within the Department of Home Affairs in Bentonville, Arkansas, multiple reports say.
In a note shared with the associates on May 21, Walmart executives said the company is “restructuring” parts of its team to modernize its business and enhance the “associates, customers and members experience.”
“We’re eliminating roles and starting several new roles in line with our business priorities and growth strategies,” Suresh Kumar, CEO of Walmart in the US, President John Ferner, Walmart Global CTO and Chief Development Officer, said in a memo obtained by USA Today.
The layoffs come less than a week after Walmart informed customers that prices could be raised due to tariffs caused by President Donald Trump’s administration. However, recent changes to the company have nothing to do with customs duties. Rather, it reflects their focus on “business priorities and our growth strategy.”
When Walmart was contacted by USA Today on Thursday, May 22nd, it did not want to comment further on the layoffs.
Here’s what you need to know.
Are Walmart employees fired?
About 1,500 Walmart employees have been affected by the layoffs, according to multiple reports.
Notes sent to Associates outline the impact of roles within Walmart Connect, the internal advertising arm of Walmart Global Tech and Walmart Connect.
“These changes are primarily focused on driving efficiency for end-to-end operations teams, ensuring that we are best served our customers,” Kumar and Furner said in a memo.
Where are Walmart employees fired?
Walmart headquarters employees and several other locations in Bentonville, Arkansas, said they will be affected by the layoffs.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to add new information.
Gretacross is a national trend reporter for USA Today. Story ideas? Please email her gcross@usatoday.com.
