Wal-Mart Stores Inc. of Bentonville confirmed Wednesday that it will eliminate 60 positions from its international division.
The retailer, though, expects to add about 40 positions to the division, spokesman Kevin Gardner said. And the employees whose jobs are being cut can apply for the new positions or other positions within Wal-Mart through Feb. 2, he said.
Eligible employees who don't have other jobs within Wal-Mart by Feb. 2 will receive a severance package, Gardner said. The conflict-of-interest policy will be waived so they can apply for jobs with suppliers.
The 40 new positions will be in its international division.
"We think we have an opportunity to take the best processes for operating merchandising stores and deploy those processes around the world where it's appropriate," Gardner said.
A focus on purchasing will be to "work on a greater level of collaboration with our suppliers" to lower costs and increase variety to its customers, he said.
CEO Mike Duke said the international division will be the target for Wal-Mart's growth.
"This is consistent with the strategy that we've been working on this year," Gardner said.
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