Walmart's 2026 Workforce: 2.1 Million Employees, AI-Driven Layoffs, and Investor Rejection of AI Impact Report
As of 2026, Walmart employs 2.1 million people globally (1.6 million in the US), making it the world's largest private employer. The retailer's aggressive adoption of AI since the late 2010s has boosted productivity, enabled 30-minute delivery, and pushed its valuation above $1 trillion, leading to its inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 index in January 2026. However, these advancements have come with human costs: in May 2026, Walmart laid off or relocated about 1,000 corporate workers. Employees report AI-fueled initiatives creating 'impossible deadlines' and raising safety concerns. In June 2026, Walmart investors overwhelmingly rejected a shareholder proposal (only 4.95% support) that would have required reporting on AI's impact on workforce well-being, concluding that existing disclosures are sufficient. The workforce has slightly declined from 2.3 million in 2015.
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