Business

Walmart closes Worcester fulfillment center, laying off 90 employees

The retail giant says the closure is part of an effort to streamline fulfillment and improve delivery speeds.

Ash Adams / Bloomberg, File

By Beth Treffeisen

1 minute to read

Walmart has closed its Sam’s Club Fulfillment Center in Worcester, laying off 90 employees, according to a notice filed with the state. 

The shutdown, which happened on Feb. 25, is part of the company’s push to speed up shipping and delivery by consolidating operations across its fulfillment network. 

The company will terminate any employees who cannot find jobs elsewhere within the company by the end of May, the notice said. 

All affected Walmart associates at the facility will be eligible for a $7,500 transfer incentive, and anyone relocating more than 50 miles away for an eligible position may qualify for relocation benefits. 

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The employees can apply for jobs at Walmart stores, Sam’s Club locations, or other company facilities during a 90-day paid transition period. There are approximately 50 retail locations in the state.

“We’re grateful for everything our associates do every day, and we’re committed to working one-on-one with each person to find the best path forward so they can remain part of the Walmart family,” a spokesperson said. 

The facility at 1 Tobias Boland Way is down the street from a Walmart Supercenter. 

According to the notice, the Next Generation facilities “will give associates an exciting opportunity to work in a newly designed work environment that prioritizes associate comfort and is powered by state-of-the-art automation technology.”

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Walmart has four Next Generation facilities in Illinois, Indiana, Texas, and Pennsylvania. The company is opening a new one in California this year. 

Walmart employs about 2.1 million associates worldwide, with nearly 11,000 stores across 19 countries. 

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Beth Treffeisen

Reporter

Beth Treffeisen is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on local news, crime, and business in the New England region.

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