Walmart plans to hire over 50,000 people by April. Among the new jobs are personal shoppers, delivery drivers, and data scientists. Workers in a tight labour market will have to be wooed From online grocery to advertising, Walmart announced Wednesday it intends to hire over 50,000 people by the end of April.
Among the new jobs are personal shoppers, delivery drivers, and data scientists.
With over 1.6 million employees, Walmart plans to increase its advertising business, third-party marketplace, and direct-to-fridge grocery delivery service.
Adding new personnel may be difficult now. It will have to compete for workers with other businesses and eateries in a tight labour market. Walmart’s beginning compensation is $12, compared to Target and Amazon’s $15.
Walmart spokeswoman Anne Hatfield said the company’s size allows employees to advance. In stores, “team leads,” supervisors who manage areas like baking, earn up to $26 an hour. Supply chain workers earn $16 to $30 an hour at distribution and fulfilment sites, she added.
It has also added employee benefits like Live Better U, which covers college tuition and textbooks.
Walmart announced Tuesday that it would hire over 5,000 engineers, data scientists, and computer specialists, with offices in Toronto and Atlanta.
InHome, the company’s direct-to-fridge grocery delivery service, also needs to hire over 3,000 delivery drivers. Walmart plans to expand the service to 30 million households by year’s end.
Assumptions for retail sales are high. The National Retail Federation forecasts retail sales to grow between 6% and 8% this year, including inflation-fueled pricing increases.
