Wal-Mart has moved to quash reports that it is cutting jobs across its operations in China.
The world’s largest retailer had been said to be planning a restructuring of its business in the country, with the revamp reportedly set to cost up to 1,400 jobs.
However, a spokesman for the US retail giant told just-food that, while the company is cutting some jobs at each Chinese store, the affected employees will be offered alternative positions.
“Wal-Mart China is not downsizing or laying off staff,” the spokesman said yesterday (15 April) “It is doing a business optimisation programme to better support the company’s growth plan.”
The spokesman added: “This means [Wal-Mart China is] eliminating a few mid-level management positions per store, and the affected managers are being offered the opportunity to serve in other stores, particularly in the new stores we will be opening where we need experienced management staff.”
As at the end of March, Wal-Mart operated 246 stores in China.
