Walmart is cutting around 1,500 jobs across its global operations as part of a wider restructuring aimed at streamlining its business and preparing for a more tech-driven retail future.
The layoffs will impact teams across global technology, e-commerce fulfillment at US stores, and Walmart Connect, the company’s advertising division.
In an internal memo seen by Reuters, the retail giant said the changes are intended to “accelerate our progress delivering the experiences that will define the future of retail.”
Some roles will be eliminated, while others will be added to support evolving business priorities, the company confirmed.
The job cuts come at a pivotal time for Walmart, which is grappling with higher supply chain costs due to President Donald Trump’s latest wave of tariffs.
The company recently warned that it would raise prices on certain products by the end of May as it works to absorb the financial impact.
As the largest private employer in the United States, with approximately 1.6 million US-based employees and over 2.1 million globally, Walmart’s restructuring signals a broader shift in how it is positioning for the future, especially as it leans more heavily on automation, digital advertising, and centralized logistics.
The retailer is also the country’s largest importer, with around 60% of its imports, including apparel, toys, and electronics, sourced from China, putting it at the heart of the ongoing tariff debate.
This is not the first time Walmart has trimmed its workforce in 2024.
In February, the company shuttered an office in North Carolina and asked some employees to relocate to its central hubs in Arkansas and California.
Those cuts were also part of a broader push to consolidate teams and centralize decision-making in key locations.
While Walmart continues to invest in future-facing areas like AI, robotics, and digital commerce, the company’s leadership appears increasingly focused on organisational efficiency as global economic pressures mount.
The job cuts follow a trend among major US retailers taking a cautious approach amid uncertainty.
While Walmart reaffirmed its full-year guidance earlier this month, it acknowledged that pricing and consumer demand may shift as tariffs begin to bite.
Walmart has not yet commented on the specific roles or locations affected by this latest round of layoffs.
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