Walmart announces redundancies as it turns to robots

Walmart, one of the world’s biggest retailers and a major supplier of fishing tackle in the US, has announced redundancies running into thousands at its warehouses as it replaces workers with robots.

The retail giant, which recently told investors that it would be relying on automated facilities in both stores and its fulfilment network, has announced it is laying off 3,267 workers at its e-commerce facilities nationwide, including Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey and California.

Walmart said it expects about 65% of its 5,300 bricks and mortar locations and 55% of its fulfilment centre volume will have automated facilities within the next three years.

Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey added that in five years 90% of the company’s capital expenditure will be on ‘high return areas like e-commerce, supply chain and store investment.’