[BwanaNdege]

“We realized we had pretty much the same club structure whether a club had $50 million in revenue or $100 million in revenue,” Mr. Durling said of the distribution of assistant managers. “What we’re trying to do is balance our resources.”

Sam’s Club has about 116,000 employees, Mr. Durling said, and the job cuts will affect about four employees a store.

"Laying off 2300 workers, but open 15 new stores?"

Walmart appears to be fine tuning their staff. 2% is not a major adjustment in employee population. Plus Walmart told them they have 60 days to find another position in the company, possibly in one of those 15 new stores.

Remember, liberals HATE Walmart, so the NYT is probably reporting this minor company adjustment with glee.

Look for articles talking about how "Women & minorities hit hardest!" and "If these poor Walmart workers were unionized, this would not be happening!" (most likely true - Union featherbedding would give them jobs-for-life, plus three new shop stewards per store.)

[PrincessB]

This happens where I work as well. If you are being laid off and there is a job opening with your title/level, you are guaranteed an interview. The ones who choose to interview usually stay.

[griswold3]

They are closing two Target Stores in my area. But they are opening a Costco.
I think Walmart is adjusting employees to best business practices as Costco has. Costco has less employees but sales are $814 per sf. Walmart has more employees but $516 per sf.
The argument is whether fewer employees making higher wages who are more content leads to increased sales Or is it simply the math.