Walmart plans to lay off numerous employees and will close its office in Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of its strategy to move workers to its primary offices in California and Arkansas, according to various reports referencing an internal memo.

The global retail giant is requesting that employees currently situated in Hoboken, New Jersey, along with those in smaller offices, transfer to its new headquarters located in Bentonville, Arkansas, or to its office in Sunnyvale, California. This was outlined in a memo from Donna Morris, Walmart’s chief people officer, which was shared with Bloomberg News and Reuters.

Morris stated in the memo, “These adjustments are made to consolidate essential functions, enhancing speed and mutual understanding,” as reported by the media outlets.

It was not possible for YSL News to reach Walmart for comment on Wednesday.

What prompts Walmart’s relocation?

This move is part of Walmart’s broader relocation strategy that was initiated last year, coinciding with a trend where many U.S. companies are requiring staff to return to the office between three to five days weekly.

With the Charlotte office closing and many corporate positions being cut as part of this relocation effort, it’s anticipated that hundreds of jobs will be lost, according to Bloomberg, which cited an insider familiar with the situation.

In 2024, Walmart had already requested that employees in Dallas, Atlanta, and Toronto move to larger office locations, primarily to Bentonville. In a previous memo shared with YSL News, Morris noted that adjustments in certain sectors of the business would lead to a decrease in several hundred campus jobs.

Morris emphasized in the 2024 memo, “We believe that being physically together enhances our collaboration, innovation, and speed.” She also added, “This approach strengthens our culture and facilitates the growth and development of our associates.”