200 NJ Walmart Workers Let Go As Part Of Mass Layoffs

NEW JERSEY — A total of 201 Walmart employees in New Jersey will be laid off as part of upcoming cost cutting measures by the retail giant, according to documents filed with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

It's part of larger warehouse layoffs by Walmart that will impact more than 2,000 employees in five locations nationwide.

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice was submitted in New Jersey last week, and applies to the Walmart distribution center in Pedricktown, Salem County.

The layoffs will be in effect on June 2. The company says they'll look to place workers at other Walmart locations.

Exact reasons for the cuts were not provided by Walmart, and a statement from the largest company by revenue in the world did not provide much clarity.

“We recently adjusted staffing levels....to better prepare for the future needs of customers,” Walmart said in a statement. "This decision was not made lightly, and we’re working closely with affected associates to help them understand what career options may be available at other Walmart locations."

The New York Post reports that Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said in February he is "most excited" about automation technologies and what they can do for the business. It's unclear what role automation may have played in these cuts.

Other states impacted by the latest round of layoffs include Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania.