Edgerton, May 21: A few days ago, retail giant Walmart initiated layoffs that affected hundreds of jobs and store shutdowns in the United States due to its plan to adopt 65% automation by 2026. Now, Walmart will lay off 318 employees at Edgerton warehouse, as the retail giant moves its distribution operations to Topeka. The US-based retail giant reportedly shut down 8 stores in Wisconsin, California, and the Bay Area a week ago. The stores were also reported to be closed in Ohio and Maryland. 

According to a Walmart spokeswoman, Camille Dunn, the retail giant would relocate its "e-commerce distribution operations in Edgerton's industrial park to its warehouse in Topeka, Kansas, said a report by The Kansas City Star, a local newspaper. The company spokeswoman further mentioned that 318 employees were offered an opportunity to transfer. Camille Dunn highlighted that Walmart planned to move its operations in Edgerton to its Topeka-based fulfilment centre at 1303 S.W. Innovation Parkway. She said this centre was opened in 2021. Walmart Layoffs: Retail Giant Shutting Down Stores in US and Cutting Hundreds of Jobs, Expects 65% of Its Stores To Adopt Automation by End of Fiscal Year 2026.

The report mentioned that the Edgerton facility located at 30801 W.191 St. would not remain vacant as Sam's Club Supply Chain would take over the warehouse. Regarding Walmart layoffs, she said that several employees were given a chance to work at the company-owned Sam's Club warehouse while others were asked to relocate to Topeka or another site. Walmart spokeswoman Camille Dunn said employees were also given a transfer bonus of $7,500. 

Walmart informed about the layoffs by filing a Worker Adjustment and Retaining Notification or WARN Act notice on May 17 (Friday). Walmart confirmed in this notice that 318 employees will be laid off at the Edgerton warehouse. Another spokeswoman, Kara Banks at Edgerton, declined to comment on the Walmart layoffs and called it a "private business decision". According to federal law,  employers need to inform their workers about plant closures or mass layoffs. Tenaris Layoffs: Europe-Based Global Steelmaker To Lay Off Nearly 120 Employees in Beaver County.

The report highlighted that the distribution centre was previously leased by Jet.com, an e-commerce company later acquired by Walmart in 2016. It mentioned that the industrial park was opened in 2013 and now spanned dozens of builds. According to the report, it was run by Amazon, Hostess, and UPS, which had thousands of workers.  

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 21, 2024 09:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).