Walmart Cuts 1,500 U.S. Jobs, Expands Pharmacy, Fuel Networks

Walmart is undergoing significant transformations across multiple facets of its business to adapt to evolving market demands and competitive pressures. The company announced layoffs of around 1,500 corporate employees as part of a restructuring aimed at modernizing operations and enhancing customer experience amid challenges such as tariffs and supply chain disruptions. Concurrently, Walmart is aggressively expanding its fuel business with plans to open over 45 new gas stations this year, aiming to compete directly with Costco by offering low prices and accessibility to all customers. In response to pharmacy industry shifts and closures, Walmart opened its largest centralized prescription processing facility in Maryland, capable of fulfilling up to 100,000 prescriptions daily, enabling pharmacists to focus more on patient care and clinical services. Additionally, Walmart plans to remodel 650 stores and build at least 150 new locations by 2029, enhancing product variety, store signage, pharmacy areas, and e-commerce pickup and delivery services to provide a more modern and efficient shopping experience. These initiatives collectively demonstrate Walmart's strategic efforts to maintain competitiveness and meet changing consumer needs in retail, fuel, and healthcare sectors.