Walmart Inc. (WMT.US) wields the layoff knife! Affects about 1,500 technical positions.

According to sources, the world's largest retailer Walmart Inc. (WMT.US) is cutting corporate staff at its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, and other offices in an effort to reduce costs and address economic volatility. Sources say the company will eliminate some positions in its global technology team, affecting fewer than 1,500 people. A memo seen by Bloomberg shows Chief Technology Officer Suresh Kumar and Walmart Inc. US CEO John Furner writing that these adjustments are aimed at accelerating decision-making processes and reducing complexity. They stated that in addition to eliminating some positions, Walmart Inc. will also be creating some new positions. The memo notes that the company is simplifying the structure of the technology team to speed up operations and adapt more effectively to market changes, while the personnel adjustments in Walmart Inc. US are aimed at improving efficiency. In another memo, Cedric Clark, Executive Vice President of Store Operations at Walmart Inc. US, stated, "Today, store delivery is a complex process involving multiple touchpoints that create friction." He also added that reducing friction related to digital orders will benefit consumers. Walmart Inc. is adjusting some positions related to handling these orders. Kumar and Furner stated that the company is also restructuring its advertising business. A Walmart Inc. spokesperson stated that these adjustments reflect the company's growth strategy, are not related to tariffs, and declined further comment. At the end of the New York stock market trading day, Walmart Inc. stock price remained stable. As of Wednesday's close, its stock price has risen by 6.7% year-to-date, outperforming the S&P 500 index. Prior to this round of job cuts, Walmart Inc. underwent a restructuring in February, during which the company eliminated some positions and asked employees to relocate to central offices in Arkansas and California. Walmart Inc. has approximately 1.6 million employees in the US, making it the country's largest private employer. In recent quarters, Walmart Inc. has outperformed its competitors, but the company warned during its earnings call this month that due to tariffs and increasing economic volatility, prices are facing upward pressure, and the retailer expects to start raising some prices this month. These comments sparked dissatisfaction from US President Donald Trump over the weekend. Trump criticized Walmart Inc. on social media, saying the retail giant made billions of dollars more than expected last year and should "absorb the tariffs" themselves rather than passing them on to consumers.