Walmart, the largest private employer in the United States, is set to reduce its workforce and shut down an office in North Carolina. This move is part of the company’s ongoing strategy to consolidate its workforce in its primary locations in California and Arkansas, as revealed in an internal memo obtained on Tuesday.
Donna Morris, Walmart’s Chief People Officer, communicated to the employees through the memo that the company will be downsizing and requesting office-based employees in Hoboken, NJ, and other smaller offices to relocate to the newly inaugurated headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., or its Sunnyvale, Calif., office. Morris explained that the changes aim to consolidate key capabilities, foster speed, and promote shared understanding.
The memo did not disclose the exact number of employees who will be impacted by this decision. However, it was stated that those asked to relocate would be given at least a month to inform the company of their decision to move to the main hubs.
This move is part of a broader relocation strategy that Walmart unveiled in May 2024. The first phase of this strategy involved asking employees from offices in Dallas, Atlanta, and Toronto to relocate to Walmart’s corporate headquarters in Bentonville, its Hoboken office, or its California location. At that time, employees working remotely were also asked to return to the office.
Walmart has been advocating for in-office work since February 2022, citing benefits such as enhanced collaboration, innovation, and faster work processes. The company also believes that in-person work strengthens the company culture.
In line with this, Walmart has recently opened a new 350-acre campus in Bentonville, featuring 12 office buildings, amenity buildings, parking decks, and surface lots. The company is also expanding its office spaces in Sunnyvale and Bellevue, Wash., and its fashion office in New York City, while also enlarging its Hoboken office.
Morris emphasized in the memo that the company’s values and culture are strategic differentiators and are nurtured by in-person collaboration. She added that the company has already seen the benefits of having more teams working together in person. To help affected employees navigate these changes, the company will provide relocation support or severance.