Walmart Shutters Two Fulfillment Centers, Impacts 201 Jobs
Walmart is closing its 150,000 sq ft Matteson, IL fulfillment center, affecting 111 employees, and the 138,000 sq ft Sam’s Club center in Worcester, MA, impacting 90 staff, with layoffs beginning May 29. Affected workers can transfer to other facilities with $7,500 bonuses or receive severance pay.
1. Fulfillment Center Closures
Walmart is closing its 150,000-square-foot e-commerce facility in Matteson, Illinois, impacting 111 jobs, and its 138,000-square-foot Sam’s Club center in Worcester, Massachusetts, affecting 90 positions, with layoffs starting May 29 and transfer opportunities available.
2. Employee Transition and Support
Impacted workers can opt for transfers to other locations with a $7,500 relocation bonus and specialized on-the-job training in advanced fulfillment technology; those who decline transfers are eligible for severance pay.
3. Strategic Supply Chain Realignment
The closures align with Walmart’s shift toward automation and centralized next-gen fulfillment centers, aiming to tighten inventory control and lower costs, as 50% of e-commerce volume and 60% of stores are now supported by automated facilities.
4. Network Expansion Investments
Walmart recently acquired a 1.2 million-square-foot Connecticut warehouse for $212.6 million and is investing $300 million in a 1.2 million-square-foot North Carolina fulfillment center, reflecting broader growth in its automated supply network.