On April 13th this year, Walmart decided to shut down five of its Supercenters, literally overnight and to the (bad) surprise of its customers and staff. The stores concerned were Tulsa, Oklahoma, Midland and Livingston, Texas, Pico Rivera, California and Brandon, Florida. A total of 2,200 employees were affected. They were offered a two months paid leave and the possibility to apply for jobs at other locations of the supermarket chain.
Meanwhile, the reasons of these unexpected closures were surrounded with rumors. If the company's official statement involved massive plumbing issues to fix in these five supercenters, various allegations suggested other reasons. For many employees, its a punishment for asking higher wages and being on strike. For some people, the closures are related to Jade Helm 15, a vast military exercise that took place between July 15th and September 15th this year.
Whatever the reasons, the fact is that four of the five stores reopened last week with new layout and reorganised departments. According to Walmart, the fifth location, Brandon, Florida, is due to open in time for the festive season this year.
*Photo: Walmart Wall
News in the same category
Sephora, the beauty retail specialist is set to open 35 stores through the United States in 2019.
Seattle is well known for its music scene. It is still blessed with an abundance of record stores despite the extortionate rents that are charged in the city.
Running errands then relax with a glass of wine without even leaving the store will soon be possible: Target is planning to include a bar in its new location in Chicago.
In addition to the recent news of their soon-to-be-launched 365 by Whole Foods Market chain, the healthy food supermarket just announced their long-term goal: 1,200 Whole Foods Market locations in the US.
