Walmart to Create Several Hundred Jobs in India and US Post Layoffs

In a strategic move to reshape its workforce, Walmart is planning to introduce hundreds of new roles across India and the United States, many of which will be open to recently laid-off employees.

The announcement comes just days after the retail giant laid off approximately 1,500 employees globally, including many from its Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Bengaluru and Chennai. According to a top executive, the layoffs and new roles are part of a larger restructuring effort designed to simplify the company’s structure and respond more quickly to today’s dynamic retail environment.

New Roles to Offset Layoffs

“We anticipate several hundred new roles as we reshape our teams… within each country, that is United States and India. Employees who were affected by last week’s changes are eligible to apply for any of these roles,” the executive told Moneycontrol.

Walmart’s total workforce exceeds 1.6 million globally, with a majority working in physical stores. The corporate office employees, who make up a smaller percentage, were the ones impacted by the recent layoffs.

Why the Restructuring?

On May 21, Walmart initiated a wave of layoffs aimed at streamlining operations, cutting costs, and accelerating decision-making. A memo to employees from company leaders clarified that the move was to help Walmart adapt to a fast-changing retail landscape.

“Shaping our organisation enables us to drive faster how we deliver and keep pace with the evolving world around us,” the memo stated.

This transition reflects a broader shift across the tech and retail sectors, where emerging technologies are transforming job roles and required skillsets.

The AI Effect on Retail Jobs

Walmart, like many tech-forward companies, has begun integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its operations—from predicting product demand to optimizing supply chain logistics. The retailer is also deploying tools like Gen AI-powered ‘Wally’ to automate tasks such as data analysis, customer support, and operational queries.

“After last week’s changes, Walmart has fewer layers in the company, which means less complexity and ultimately faster decision making,” the executive said.

Despite job losses, industry experts believe AI will become a net job creator, especially in a market like India. Leaders such as Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy and Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran have publicly supported the potential of Gen AI to create more opportunities in the long run.

Moving Towards a Faster, Smarter Walmart

Walmart is focusing on agility and modernization across its structure. With over 10,500 stores globally and 240 million weekly footfalls, the company’s ability to adapt quickly has become crucial.

“What that means is that we are constantly in a state of looking at how we modernise the business,” said the executive. “We want to make sure that we stay ahead of delivering on expected experiences and anticipate what the future of retail looks like.”

The company also recently announced it had shortened its “Trend-to-Product” timeline by 18 weeks, getting fashion products to customers faster—a direct result of its new tech-enabled approach.

Conclusion

While the layoffs at Walmart were a difficult shift for many employees, the announcement of new roles in India and the US provides a hopeful path forward. As the company continues to evolve with technology and customer needs, its focus remains on building a leaner, faster, and more innovative retail ecosystem.