Wal-Mart layoffs?

Rumors are growing on the electronic frontier that Wal-Mart - the low-paid employee juggernaut -- is laying off workers. And in particular, temporary holiday workers as the holiday shopping season is much more dismal than forecasted.

The rumor began at this site - Treeofliberty.com

Tickerforum.org picked up on it and cited other internet rumors about the same thing.

Right now, this is just pure rumor. Anyone else hearing differently tho?

I don't know about Wal Mart, but I have heard similar news from local UPS workers! They are not employing nearly as many seasonal workers as they typically do, and they are not working the overtime that they have become accustomed to for this time of year!

A friend went to the local Walmart yesterday and told me the place was fairly empty. She also said the store was rearranging aisles, reducing shelf space it seems.

Combined with reports of declining sales at McDonald's, who wants to bet that there will be a big wave of bankruptcies in January?

I believe it, Wal-Mart customer service sucks not to mention, most places Wal-Mart is quite a drive away, and with gas the way it is it works out to pay a few cents more at a closer store than it is to drive a minutes away to get what you need.

Crazy stuff, the economy is not going to recover anytime soon. There is no bubble they can inflate in order to keep the ponzi scheme going.

I posted a year or go that when Wal Mart layoff begin then it will be a sign of the beginning of whatever new will come...or something kin to that.

I might get up the energy to find the post.

edit..unless their is a way to go beyond the 250 post mark I guess the comment is gone. lol

Nevertheless this if true will be a bit of a shock to the US system as Wal Mart is the largest employer in the USA.

(unless you include Government..correct me if I am wrong.)

Wal-Mart is the largest private employer[5] and the largest grocery retailer in the United States. It also owns and operates the Sam's Club retail warehouses in North America

en.wikipedia.org...

[edit on 8-12-2009 by whiteraven]

I know for a fact that the Wal-Mart in my hometown, which is Casper, Wyoming, has laid off 100+ employees today.

Originally posted by apacheman
A friend went to the local Walmart yesterday and told me the place was fairly empty. She also said the store was rearranging aisles, reducing shelf space it seems.

Combined with reports of declining sales at McDonald's, who wants to bet that there will be a big wave of bankruptcies in January?

Walmart is implementing the new "clean" look all over the country. It’s a way to hide the fact they are reducing inventory to cut cost. If you dig a little into the companies showing profits you will find that most made their profits by cutting costs like their unnecessary labor and expenses related to the employees like taxes and insurance.

As long as Walmart can squeeze out more bucks, I wouldn't be surprised if they are laying off.


Their service wasn't good in the first place. Now it is going to be even worse.

Walmart's new slogan

Need Help, So What!

reply to post by getreadyalready


I have a relative that works for UPS as a driver. Usually around this time of the year he is working until 8pm making holiday deliveries. This year he is finishing around 5pm so a lot less overtime pay. He did say that they only hired a few temp workers for the holiday and that the regular crew seems to be able to handle the load.

The malls around my area are only about half full these days. Usually during this time of the year you can't even get near them because they are so crowded. Not a good sign for economic recovery.

reply to post by apacheman


I've been saying this for over a year. It's been in the cards that despite what the MSM is trying to make us believe, this is going to be an apocalyptic holiday retail season. There are so many companies that are circling the drain but have been holding on with the hopes that the seasonal buying would bail them out. Ain't gonna happen. I'm afraid we're going to see alot more layoffs and closings coming after the holiday.

Hold onto your hats squids.

Originally posted by liveandletlive

Walmart is implementing the new "clean" look all over the country. It’s a way to hide the fact they are reducing inventory to cut cost.

As are many other retailers.

Additionally, many are adopting a strategy of artificial scarcity in order to increase demand and jack up prices.

January will be a wash as people spend gift cards and gift money. However, February will likely be a free fall.

All I know is, it's going to be a very ugly 2010. I'm predicting we are going to see lots of chains entering bankruptcy and liquidating (especially higher-end stores like Macy's, jewelery stores, and the like) or severely closing locations. Walmart laying off is one of the scariest economic indicators of all. The bottom line is, people are scared and only buying the bare minimum...we are trapped in an endless cycle that is not going to improve any time soon.

Consumer Credit Shrank Again in October, Setting a Record The New York Times 2009-12-08

WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans borrowed less for a record ninth month in October, another sign that consumer spending would remain weak, making it harder for the economy to mount a sustained rebound.

article.wn.com...

I just heard some analyst just say sales after black friday were up 2.5% over last year and I just saw this thread - so I do not know, but I can tell you take everything you read from Karl D. with a grain of salt buddy

reply to post by GreenBicMan


Sales and profit are two different things. Especially if people are not buying the high end stuff.

It isn't looking good for the economy, it will eventually recover, but if the idiots up in Washington don't stop spending then it is going to take a long time.

reply to post by Hastobemoretolife


Im not debating anything but the OP my friend lol

Meh.. I don't know about layoffs, but the store improvements are being done in many Walmarts. And it's not to reduce inventory, that's ridiculous. There is now MORE stuff at my local Walmart, after their store rearranging. Especially more electronics, they now carry a full line of HD sets, where they did not before. There is just as much food (or more), as well as clothing, camping gear, and so on.

So no... I don't see it. What proof can you provide that they are reducing their stock other than supposition?

The only other place I've seen with this is through a yahoo answer blog that somebody made comment about it. I want to say it's false, but I have a feeling its not because I know that this holiday season was going to be the make or break for alot of companies. So in January and February we may start to see major bankruptcies. I don't see Walmart going bankrupt, but I do see them cutting costs.

answers.yahoo.com...

I'm going to chalk this up as a rumor right now. But I will take it into account because Wal-Mart won't announce that there is going to be mass lay-offs, their stock price would plummet. The way we will find out is when it starts happening.

reply to post by Hastobemoretolife


Actually their stock would prob rise if they started layoffs - i chalk this up to a yahoo mess board rumor as well