BENTONVILLE, AR - It has been a bit of a roller coaster in Walmart news over the past week. The latest shakeup is in its management and corporate divisions, where sources report shifting around of about 3,500 store co-managers, as well as up to 1,000 cuts of corporate jobs.
Late last week the retailer announced, almost simultaneously, the boost of wages to its employees under its traditional banner and the closure of more than 60 Sam’s Clubs across the nation.
Now, The Wall Street Journal reports that people familiar with the matter have disclosed plans to trim hundreds of jobs on the corporate level. Expected to be completed by the end of the company’s fiscal year on Jan. 31, the job cuts are expected to be broad based and focused on workers primarily at the company’s headquarters, according to the source.
Without confirming those job cuts were planned for this month, a spokesperson for the retailer told WSJ, “We’ve been looking at our structure for some time as we explore ways to operate more effectively.”
Additionally, a salaried role acting as what Bloomberg described as a “lieutenant underneath each store manager” employing about 3,500 will be removed. Instead, people familiar with the matter told the news source that Walmart is adding about 1,700 assistant store managers—a slightly lower-paid role—who will oversee fast-growing areas like online orders.
Those affected will be able to apply for other roles, and the purpose of the shakeup is said to boost efficiency, weed out poor performers, and create clearer paths to leadership.
With so much strategizing to start off 2018, AndNowUKnow will continue to keep an eye out for all the latest.
