California, May 14: In 2024, layoffs have affected thousands of employees from multiple sectors such as tech, fintech, EVs and automobile industry, health tech, and more. Now,  Walmart has started letting go hundreds of employees from its offices. The American retail giant reportedly asked its employees to move to larger offices as it began to shut down Bay Area, Wisconsin and Milwaukee offices. A report states that the Walmart layoffs have been implemented due to the retail giant adopting a automation plan. 

Business Insider reported that Walmart began shutting down 8 US stores/offices in 2024. The report mentioned that Walmart and other locations, such as Wisconsin and Milwaukee, would close their stores in the Bay Area this month. The total number of closures would be 8, as confirmed by the report, and will result in many people losing their jobs or moving to a larger hub. The company filed the notice of Walmart layoffs in Wisconsin and California regarding the 4 store closures in California, one in Ohio and one more in Maryland. Apple Employees Strike: Workers at Apple Towson Town Center Vote To Authorise Strike Over Concerning Working Conditions, Says Report/

According to the report, Walmart has stated that the closures are a result of the stores not meeting their financial expectations. However, the company has assured that it will continue to serve the people from these areas through Walmart.com and home or business delivery options. The workers affected by the Walmart layoffs will have the opportunity to transfer to different locations, as per the company's statement.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, employees working in smaller offices in Dallas, Toronto, and Atlanta were requested to transition to larger hubs or corporate headquarters in Arkansas, Bentonville, and other places. The report said that Walmart announced in April 2023 its intention to implement 65% automation by 2026. Walmart layoffs might result from such automation in the future. Motional Layoffs: Self-Driving Technology Company Lays Off 40% of Its Workforce in US, Postpones Robotaxi Plans Amid Restructuring.

In the United States, Walmart had around 4,600 stores with nearly 2.1 million associates as of February 2024. These retail locations included 3,560 superstores, 360 discount stores and 675 neighbourhood markets. The company also reportedly owned around 600 Sam's Clubs. In January, Walmart intended to size up or build more than 150 stores in the upcoming five years, which included 14 new locations. The locations chosen by the company were reported - Texas with 4 stores, Dallas with 3 stores and Houston with one store.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 14, 2024 09:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).