Walmart Sets Goal for 10K More Retail Jobs This Year
BENTONVILLE, AR - Consistent with the company’s growth of previous years, Walmart has announced it anticipates creating approximately 10,000 retail jobs in the U.S. this year, and 34,000 jobs overall with the consideration of other sectors.
"Walmart is investing to better serve customers,” said Dan Bartlett, Walmart Executive Vice President for Corporate Affairs. “With a presence in thousands of communities and a vast supplier network, we know we play an important role in supporting and creating American jobs. Our 2017 plans to grow our business–and our support for innovation in the textile industry–will have a meaningful impact across the country.”
Currently, Walmart employs about 1.5 million workers, and the additional retail jobs would represent less than 1 percent of its total workforce, according to source Reuters. The majority of Walmart's new retail jobs will be in 59 new stores planned for the fiscal year beginning in February as well as in e-commerce services, the retailer said on Tuesday. The new stores will also support about 24,000 construction jobs, which will make for a final number of 34,000 created jobs.
Walmart said the number of its new jobs would be consistent with previous years. They will be part of a previously announced $6.8 billion capital expenditure plan, which includes construction and remodeling of stores and distribution centers, for the fiscal year starting on Feb. 1.
Walmart also said that by July, it would open 160 training academies, adding to the 40 it already has. More than 225,000 workers will receive up to six weeks of specialty training and graduate from the academies in the coming fiscal year, the company said.
This follows news earlier this month, where people familiar with the matter revealed that hundreds of corporate jobs are on the chopping block. Does this outline a new strategy for the company, as it streamlines its corporate structure and focuses on expansion?
For more of the latest in retail expansion and its impact on the fresh produce industry, stay tuned with AndNowUKnow!
