Walmart President and CEO Mike Duke had this to say about today's layoffs:
"Today, we are announcing organizational changes at our home office....As a result, we will eliminate approximately 300 positions in Northwest Arkansas."
Duke says the layoffs are part of a strategy to cut costs and continue to save the customer money. Great for the company and the customer, but what about our community?
" It's going to hurt. It's going to hurt it all. Walmart's a big contribution to this area," said Bentonville Resident Kevin Rivers.
Local Resident Lois Hicks has family and friends that work for Walmart.
"I think it really will affect the whole area, because there's just no jobs for these folks that just got laid off....My daughter-in-law was working up in St. Joseph for Sam's Club and she was in the lay off that was last week. I have several people that work for the home office and as managers and assistant managers, and it's making a lot of them nervous," said Hicks.
Bentonville business owner Beth Cook is concerned about the impact the layoffs may have on her bottom line.
"Any time that there is something that affects so many and especially your hometown, there's a lot to be worried about. I think you'll see people even more so, you know start to hunker down," said Cook.
Her heart also goes out to those out of a job.
"I'm sick about it. I'm sick for their families....We can all hope that, you know, they have another job they can go to."
"Today, we are announcing organizational changes at our home office....As a result, we will eliminate approximately 300 positions in Northwest Arkansas."
Duke says the layoffs are part of a strategy to cut costs and continue to save the customer money. Great for the company and the customer, but what about our community?
" It's going to hurt. It's going to hurt it all. Walmart's a big contribution to this area," said Bentonville Resident Kevin Rivers.
Local Resident Lois Hicks has family and friends that work for Walmart.
"I think it really will affect the whole area, because there's just no jobs for these folks that just got laid off....My daughter-in-law was working up in St. Joseph for Sam's Club and she was in the lay off that was last week. I have several people that work for the home office and as managers and assistant managers, and it's making a lot of them nervous," said Hicks.
Bentonville business owner Beth Cook is concerned about the impact the layoffs may have on her bottom line.
"Any time that there is something that affects so many and especially your hometown, there's a lot to be worried about. I think you'll see people even more so, you know start to hunker down," said Cook.
Her heart also goes out to those out of a job.
"I'm sick about it. I'm sick for their families....We can all hope that, you know, they have another job they can go to."
