Wal-Mart announced on Jan. 24 that it will eliminate about 11,500 jobs at its Sam's Club megastores in the United States.
Wal-Mart CEO Brian Cornell said the layoffs will affect approximately 10,000 product demonstration associates, most of whom work part-time.
The decision stems from Wal-Mart's decision to appoint Shopper Events, a third-party marketing company, to run its product demonstration program.
"We understand Shopper Events will rapidly staff up to accommodate this new business and that it expects to hire roughly the same number of people," Cornell said.
"All of the current Club demo associates will have the opportunity to apply for these new positions."
On Jan. 22, Wal-Mart announced its decision to close 10 Sam's Club stores this year, which will result in the loss about 1,500 additional jobs.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2010
