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
Birkenstock has expanded it's reach by opening a second U.S. location in Venice Beach, Calif.
As they were celebrating their first year as a public company, Smart & Final unveiled their “Project 100” plan, a project involving their Extra! And Cash&Carry stores.
One of the best and still growing shopping destinations in the US is the Dior outlets that are now and some yet to be opened and some now opening.
Century 21, the New York based department store, is opening its tenth location in valley Stream. This is the company's second store outside of the New York Metro.
