Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Walmart Cuts Starting Pay for Some New Hires
WSJ ^ | 7 September 2023 | Sarah Nassauer

Posted on 09/07/2023 6:45:06 PM PDT by NautiNurse

Walmart is paying some new store workers less than it would have three months ago, a sign that employers are seeking to cut labor costs as the once-hot market for hourly staff cools.

The country’s largest private employer changed its wage structure for hourly workers in mid-July.

[Snip]

The wage-structure change comes after Walmart and other large employers have for years steadily raised wages and added benefits to attract workers in a tight labor market. The retailer’s latest move suggests that the stresses companies are facing in trying to find employees are easing and that they need to find ways to offset those wage increases.

Walmart said the change allows workers to move between work groups such as food, registers, stocking or digital fulfillment without pay impacts, according to documents given to some store workers.

[Snip]

Retailers are looking at ways to reduce costs in anticipation of some consumer weakness heading into the end of the year, including the holiday shopping season, said David Bassuk, global leader of the retail practice at consulting firm AlixPartners. In general, retailers face more sales and therefore higher labor costs through the late-year holidays.

[Snip]

Some economists have found that Walmart’s market power is a primary determinant of wage levels in local economies where the company has a large presence, especially at other retailers and grocery stores.


(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: labor; retail; salary; wages; walmart
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-47 next last
Year over year, hourly wages increased 4.3% in August. Unemployment rose to 3.8% in August, up from 3.5% in July.

Walmart is the bellwether for wage structure.

1 posted on 09/07/2023 6:45:06 PM PDT by NautiNurse
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: NautiNurse

I’ve never seen a happy looking Walmart employee.


2 posted on 09/07/2023 6:50:28 PM PDT by Newtoidaho (All I ask of living is to have no chains on me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Newtoidaho

I have. It was back in the mid-1980s.


3 posted on 09/07/2023 6:51:38 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: NautiNurse

The cost of stuff you buy goes up.
Your hourly wage goes down.

Bidenomics!


4 posted on 09/07/2023 6:53:05 PM PDT by ClearCase_guy (They say "Our Democracy" but they mean Cosa Nostra.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Newtoidaho

The greeters are generally pleasant. Sort of...


5 posted on 09/07/2023 6:53:51 PM PDT by NautiNurse (🇺🇸 Selling out the U.S.A.: The Briben Brand™)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: NautiNurse

There’s a paywall. What is their hourly wage now?


6 posted on 09/07/2023 6:54:55 PM PDT by peggybac (My will is what I wanted. God's will is what I got.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NautiNurse
Walmart has a "shrinkage" problem. The pay cuts can be blamed on a certain highly visible "clientele".

7 posted on 09/07/2023 6:56:43 PM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Newtoidaho

A woman comedian said: I once worked as a stock clerk at Walmart. It didn’t just happen automatically. I had to dream it first.


8 posted on 09/07/2023 6:56:51 PM PDT by frank ballenger (You have summoned up a thundercloud. You're gonna hear from me. Anthem by Leonard Cohen)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: NautiNurse

I’ve looked at Jim’s bar.

I don’t ever recollect him being so far short.


9 posted on 09/07/2023 6:57:37 PM PDT by Brian Griffin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy
Bidenomics!

Lean days ahead for the hoi polloi. Saw an article earlier today that health insurance premiums are taking a big leap in 2024.

10 posted on 09/07/2023 6:58:35 PM PDT by NautiNurse (🇺🇸 Selling out the U.S.A.: The Briben Brand™)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: frank ballenger

LOL!


11 posted on 09/07/2023 6:59:28 PM PDT by NautiNurse (🇺🇸 Selling out the U.S.A.: The Briben Brand™)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: NautiNurse

The rotten bosses at many places including mine tried to get by using this book of rewards OTHER than MONEY. All employees were grim faced, resentful and angry over it.

https://www.amazon.com/1501-Reward-Employees-Nelson-Ph-D/dp/0761168788/ref=asc_df_0761168788/?tag=hyprod-20&link


12 posted on 09/07/2023 7:00:04 PM PDT by frank ballenger (You have summoned up a thundercloud. You're gonna hear from me. Anthem by Leonard Cohen)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NautiNurse

I’m not seeing lack of demand at local Walmarts.

My neighbor Mark the arborist says the tree-trimming business is back to normal after Hurricane Ian.


13 posted on 09/07/2023 7:01:36 PM PDT by Brian Griffin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: peggybac

At Osprey, Florida, Walmart pays $15/hour to start.

At Nokomis, Florida, Aldi is offering $18/hour for full-time employment.


14 posted on 09/07/2023 7:05:17 PM PDT by Brian Griffin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: frank ballenger

When inflation exploded, nothing was going to satisfy employees beyond salary adjustments. Even then, inflation prevented workers from feeling like they were getting ahead. More like treading water. Not much satisfaction there.


15 posted on 09/07/2023 7:05:40 PM PDT by NautiNurse (🇺🇸 Selling out the U.S.A.: The Briben Brand™)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Brian Griffin
Aldi is offering $18/hour for full-time employment.

Wowser. I remember my first nursing position with a bachelor degree: $8/hour. Dang, I'm old.

16 posted on 09/07/2023 7:08:02 PM PDT by NautiNurse (🇺🇸 Selling out the U.S.A.: The Briben Brand™)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Brian Griffin

Not bad for a lower entry pay.


17 posted on 09/07/2023 7:08:11 PM PDT by peggybac (My will is what I wanted. God's will is what I got.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Brian Griffin

My former neighbor Mike was told his single-family home rent was to be $4500/month instead of $1900/month.

He now lives around Lake City, Florida.


18 posted on 09/07/2023 7:08:31 PM PDT by Brian Griffin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Brian Griffin

Tree trimming in Florida is a necessity.


19 posted on 09/07/2023 7:10:39 PM PDT by NautiNurse (🇺🇸 Selling out the U.S.A.: The Briben Brand™)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: NautiNurse

Aldi gets good people for its money.

The USA may be headed down, but there are still many good people here.


20 posted on 09/07/2023 7:11:13 PM PDT by Brian Griffin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-47 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson