Walmart is going through an important transformation stage. The company has decided to adjust its internal structure and modernize its operations to make them more efficient. This means changes for its employees, but also for customers who visit its stores.
Goodbye to the market coordinator
One of the strongest moves in this restructuring is the elimination of the market coordinator position. These employees, responsible for collecting key data on inventories, working hours, and waste, will no longer exist as a role within Walmart. The main reason is that now this data is collected automatically through artificial intelligence systems.
With this automation, Walmart saves resources and speeds up processes that previously required a lot of time and staff. This decision affects hundreds of salaried workers, who will now have to look for new positions within the company or elsewhere.
More technology, less bureaucracy
Technological advancement is the main driver of this transformation. Walmart has launched new artificial intelligence-based tools for its employees. For example, they can control inventories with voice commands, automatically adjust prices, and manage human resources requests via chat.
The goal is to reduce paperwork so employees can focus more on serving customers and on daily operations. In addition, reducing administrative staff saves a lot of money that Walmart will invest in improving technology and competing better with Amazon.
Changes at Walmart Academy
Not only administrative positions are affected, but also internal training. Walmart Academy, the internal university for employees, is being reorganized to concentrate training in a few large academies called "supersites." The smaller academies will see some trainer or coordinator roles disappear.
In addition, the company is betting on in-person training, which has proven to be more effective than the virtual classes they used during the pandemic. Employees displaced by this restructuring will be able to apply for new positions in sales or training at the new academies.
Impact for customers and the company
These changes affect not only workers, but also those who shop at Walmart. Artificial intelligence allows for more precise inventory control, which translates into better-stocked shelves, especially for fresh and popular products. In addition, there will be more staff available in stores to answer questions, operate express checkouts, and manage curbside pickup.
The initial results are promising. Walmart reported an increase in its revenue and improved its profitability in the last quarter. The focus on efficiency and technology seems to be paying off, although the changes generate divided opinions.