Thread regarding Walmart layoffs

The Walton family still has a say but I believe the reigns are being passed to the younger generation. Will the grandkids milk the company for money? Will they push an aggressive ecommerce agenda that takes the bulk of the jobs out of Bentonville? Will they cling to old school merchandising basics and culture like their grandfather believed in? Maybe they believe Jet is the future and they're just trying to manage the transition in the business from store based to a more diversified portfolio.

What if the family members don't agree?

Or what if several of them sell their shares such that Walmart isn't run by the Waltons and is instead just like any other corporation?

There's a lot that isn't known. I think the restructuring that we are seeing is the tip of the iceberg.

Most of what I've read in this thread seems to be undeniable and spot on. Unfortunately, all of it translates to a lot of good and loyal Walmart people discarded, out of work, families torn apart and lives destroyed for the sake of money and profits.

None of us should be surprised, though. It's the way things are out there. We just kidded ourselves in thinking Walmart was different because we were hidden away in Arkansas, far away from the dog-eat-dog-and-don't-care California and New York life-style. We were fed all that "Mr. Sam Crap" for so long, we started to actually believe it.

Fortunately for us, now that we know what's going on, we have time to plan and get out before the worst starts to take hold. Each and every one of us needs to be thinking about ourselves, our families and children.

If you don't take action now, you only have yourself to blame.

Walmart has made it clear it’s major growth area is ecommerce and investors like what they see. Winners are San Bruno and New York techies, India, and of course shareholders/chiefs. Primary Loser is as usual employees particularly in Bentonville..

The Walton family still has a say on what happens in Walmart, as family members are on the Board of Directors and ultimately the CEO and his leadership report to the Board of Directors. Furthermore, the Walton family still owns a significant amount of stock and subsequently voting power.

The Board is well aware of the management team's vision, strategy, and operating priorities, as well as the company leadership's position on adapting the Walmart culture for the current business environment. The reality is that Walmart is attempting to adjust the ways of working from a tenure/relationship based environment to more of one based on performance and results.

Additionally, based on the analyst presentation yesterday, Walmart is clearly focused on ecommerce in the US as the plan is to only open 25 stores in the next year. That has implications for headcount investments in the brick & mortar areas of the business. In the CEO section of the presentation, there was a clear intent to demonstrate Walmart moving with speed to move to an omnichannel business model with a timeline of significant accomplishments.

This is a tough transition and a bitter pill to swallow for people who have invested a significant portion of their careers in the company. I certainly don't wish being laid off on anyone, and I wish the best of luck for everyone impacted in finding the next leg of their career journey.

I love that term, CARPETBAGGERS. That's exactly what our leadership is right now. They come in, screw things up, then get paid well to leave. You can bank on the fact that none of them will be here in five years. For that matter, we won't be here, either.

I just wonder if anyone in the original Walton family knows or cares. Maybe they're just too busy counting their billions.

why is anyone still working there. i get it for the older people but anyone under 40 maybe 50 should be gone unless youre working pt for a few extra bucks. walmart/sam’s is not a career anymore. for all you 20 something yr olds wanting mgt. and security trying to move up and build a career, haha GOOD LUCK with that

Stock buybacks add zero value to the company, only inflate the chiefs’ compensation. It’s financial engineering gimmick and shows our leaders have run out of ideas to turn things around. They will fund the new buyback program with “cost savings” from Bentonville layoffs.

We are betrayed: You said it, brother!! You know it's bad when 20-30 year associates are now turning their backs (assuming WM hasn't already shown them the door!) You want to know the real reason why they want to build a new home office? They want an office where the executive parking is not in plain site of 8th Street, where everyone can see their flashy rides and expensive clothes-all this from a company that caters to the working class of the world! Gosh, where's Sam when you really need him!