Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, is gearing up to introduce “several hundred new roles” across both the United States and India. According to a top company executive speaking exclusively to Moneycontrol, these opportunities will also be extended to those recently affected by company-wide 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,” said the executive.
Sources reveal that a significant number of affected employees were part of Walmart’s Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in Bengaluru and Chennai, which serve as vital tech and support hubs for the company’s global operations.
Currently, Walmart employs approximately 1.6 million people globally, with a majority working in retail stores. Staff in corporate functions represent a smaller segment of the workforce.
On May 21, 2025, Walmart laid off around 1,500 employees globally. This move was part of an effort to streamline operations, reduce costs, and accelerate internal decision-making. In an internal memo, two senior executives stated:
"Shaping our organisation enables us to drive faster how we deliver and keep pace with the evolving world around us."
Walmart's restructuring echoes a broader trend in the tech and retail sectors. In 2025 alone, over 61,000 tech workers have been laid off across 130+ companies, according to Layoffs.fyi.
Major tech players such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and CrowdStrike have collectively contributed to this wave. Microsoft alone has cut 6,000 jobs, its most significant layoff round since 2023.
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is seen as a contributing factor to job displacement, as companies adopt automation and machine learning to improve efficiency.
As part of its transformation, Walmart has embraced advanced AI tools to optimize operations. The company now leverages AI for inventory management, product demand forecasting, and supply chain logistics.
Last month, Walmart announced that it had cut its “Trend-to-Product” fashion development cycle by up to 18 weeks, bringing trending clothes to customers faster than ever.
“After last week's changes, what I can say is that Walmart has fewer layers in the company, which means less complexity and ultimately faster decision making,” the executive added.
Walmart has introduced a proprietary Generative AI tool named “Wally” to automate and simplify multiple business operations, including:
Data entry and analysis
Performance diagnostics
Customer support and inquiries
Predictive analytics and complex formulas
In response to rapid tech evolution, Walmart continues to assess how best to modernize its operations to serve consumers more effectively.
“What that means is that we are constantly in a state of looking at how we modernise the business. And in some instances like this, it meant we needed to reshape some things… to make sure that we stay ahead of delivering on those expected experiences and staying ahead of what the future of retail looks like,” the company representative explained.
With over 10,500 stores worldwide and 240 million customer visits each week, Walmart is keen to stay ahead of shifting retail trends. The restructuring and AI adoption indicate a strategic pivot towards speed, efficiency, and customer-focused innovation.
Industry experts, including Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy and Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran, have expressed optimism about AI’s long-term role as a net job creator, despite current workforce transitions.
“On the contrary, to all the apprehension, Gen AI adoption wholeheartedly serves as and proves to be a net job creator for India. Let’s face the reality, certain routine jobs will go,” said Chandrasekaran at a recent event.
Walmart's recent restructuring marks a significant shift in how the retail giant plans to operate in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. While the layoffs of 1,500 employees globally—including many in India’s Global Capability Centres—may seem alarming, the company’s announcement of “several hundred new roles” in both the US and India offers a ray of hope.
These positions are open to affected employees, reflecting Walmart’s commitment to internal mobility and talent retention. The retailer’s increasing reliance on artificial intelligence, including the deployment of its Gen AI tool “Wally,” signals a future focused on automation, agility, and customer-centric innovation.
As traditional roles become obsolete, the emphasis is shifting toward tech-driven jobs requiring new skill sets. Walmart’s strategic transformation, aligned with global industry trends, underscores a broader narrative: while AI and automation are disrupting current job landscapes, they are also laying the foundation for a smarter, more efficient, and potentially job-creating future.