Walmart, the United States’ largest private employer, is planning to downsize its workforce and close an office in North Carolina. This decision is part of the company’s ongoing plan to centralize its workforce in its main locations in California and Arkansas, according to an internal memo obtained on Tuesday.
Donna Morris, Walmart’s Chief People Officer, informed employees through the memo that the company will be reducing its workforce. Office-based employees in Hoboken, NJ, and other smaller offices are being asked to relocate to the newly opened headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., or its Sunnyvale, Calif., office. Morris stated that the purpose of these changes is to consolidate key capabilities, increase speed, and foster shared understanding.
The memo did not provide specific numbers regarding how many employees will be affected by this decision. However, it was noted 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 decision is part of a larger relocation strategy that Walmart announced in May 2024. The initial 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.
Since February 2022, Walmart has been promoting in-office work, citing benefits such as improved 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, which includes 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 assist employees affected by these changes, the company will provide relocation support or severance.