Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, plans to lay off more than 2,000 workers at distribution centers in Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania as part of the layoffs. expected by the retail giant Across the US as it responds to lower consumer demand and concerns about a potential recession.
The Bentonville, Arkansas-based chain, which has more than 10,500 stores and clubs and employs 2.1 million workers worldwide, plans layoffs as it reduces or eliminates evening and weekend shifts in Fort Worth, Texas; Davenport, Florida; and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Walmart told the Texas Workforce Commission that the retailer plans to permanently lay off 1,047 employees at its distribution center in 5300 Westport Parkway at Fort Worth on June 2. Officials are encouraging workers to apply for positions at other Walmart stores or Sam’s Club stores, according to a Worker Modification and Retraining Notice letter that Walmart sent to the state.
Walmart did not immediately respond to an interview request from CoStar News.
“In addition, we provide partners with support options,” General Manager Brandon Forcier said in the letter, adding that options include access to the retailer’s job portal, support services, and severance pay.
Walmart also introduced WARN letters associated with distribution centers in Florida and Pennsylvania. In Florida, the retail giant plans to lay off 400 workers 5100 n. Ridge Trail in Davenport. The layoffs are expected to take effect on June 2.
In Pennsylvania, Walmart plans to lay off 597 workers at a distribution center of about 1.2 million square feet in the state. 3215 Commerce Center Drive in Bethlehem.
This latest round of distribution center layoffs comes after months for the retailer cutting nearly 1,500 jobs in Atlanta in December where it automates operations at the facility at 6055 South Fulton Parkway. Officials at the retailer also laid off another 510 employees at two Atlanta stores after fires caused “significant damage” to buildings in the city. 835 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. NW And 1801 Howell Mill Rd NW.
State officials said the retailer plans to use the Howell Mill Road site to open a Walmart in the future. It wasn’t clear what was going to happen in what was once the 75,000-square-foot retail space of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Walmart is the world’s largest retailer based on Deloitte Global Powers of Retailing 2023 ranking, which tracks the world’s top retailers by revenue. Retailer revenue in fiscal 2024 grew 2.4% to $573 billion, as consumer spending picked up, in part due to government stimulus during that year, helping to boost retail sales. During the same period, the retailer’s international sales fell by double digits, according to the report.
The easing of pandemic restrictions has also affected Walmart’s e-commerce business, which has driven activity in its distribution centers. In the report, John Furner, Walmart’s president of U.S. operations, said, “We’ve certainly seen a shift in traffic to stores from e-commerce.”