A LEAKED Walmart memo will have a bigger impact on the community as a result of more than 1,500 job cuts, according to an expert.
The memo revealed that Walmart is undergoing a major internal change, which comes on the heels of the massive layoffs in May.
An expert believes the leaked Walmart memo will have lasting effects on the company[/caption]
The retail giant is attempting to simplify its structure by reworking several store-support and training roles, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters.
However, Dominick Miserandino, CEO of Retail Tech Media Nexus, believes there’s more to the layoffs than a corporate restructuring.
“These aren’t just job cuts—they’re community impacts,” he exclusively told The U.S. Sun.
“Walmart isn’t just a retailer; in many towns, it’s the largest employer and economic anchor.”
With roughly 1.6 million employees, Walmart is the biggest private employer in the US.
Globally, the retailer employs approximately 2.1 million people, according to its website.
The job cuts mean that hundreds of store-support positions will be affected.
The retail giant is eliminating the market coordinator role, Walmart US Executive Vice President of Store Operations Cedric Clark told staff in a memo distributed on Wednesday.
The company is also looking to change certain roles in its training academies to direct more focus on higher volume locations, according to the memo
Miserandino added that when these roles are eliminated, there are ripple effects far beyond the balance sheet.
“Operational efficiency matters, but so does recognizing the responsibility that comes with scale,” he said.
He believes the bigger question for Walmart now is if the retailer can “deliver both progress and humanity.”
CONSUMER IMPACT
Miserandino previously told The U.S. Sun that if not handled correctly, Walmart’s move to impact hundreds of roles could have a trickle-down effect.
“Walmart has the scale and infrastructure to manage transitions smoothly, but the key will be how they support their teams through it,” he said.
If the retail giant was not cautious when navigating the layoffs, Miserandino predicted that customer service could take a hit and negatively impact consumers’ view of Walmart.
“If employees feel disconnected or stretched thin, that can eventually be felt at the customer level, whether in service or inventory management,” he said.
“The best approach is to put people first – both the employees making the transition and the customers relying on them – so that the shopping experience remains seamless.”
As the retailer navigates internal restructuring once again, Walmart must tread lightly so as not to harm the customer’s experience.
The chain is already at risk of upset shoppers as a common dinner staple sold at Walmart will jump in cost by 10% due to a July 14 law.
Plus, the company made another “sad” major shelf change, tacking on time to your shopping trip.
