Walmart investments in the coming year will support an estimated 34,000 jobs through continued expansion and improvement in the company’s store network, as well as e-commerce services, while providing specialty training for more than 225,000 of the company’s frontline associates.
The company and the Walmart Foundation, in conjunction with The U.S. Conference of Mayors, are also announcing grants through the U.S. Manufacturing Innovation Fund to advance sustainability and innovation in textile manufacturing.
“Walmart is investing to better serve customers,” said Dan Bartlett, Walmart executive vice president for corporate affairs.
“With a presence in thousands of communities and a vast supplier network, we know we play an important role in supporting and creating American jobs.”
“Our 2017 plans to grow our business - and our support for innovation in the textile industry - will have a meaningful impact across the country.”
Walmart is planning $6.8 billion of capital investments in the U.S. in the coming fiscal year, which includes construction and remodeling of stores, clubs and distribution centers, as well as the expansion of new services such as Online Grocery Pickup.
Walmart’s fiscal year begins Feb. 1; the company’s capital plans were first shared in October. Bartlett will discuss the company’s investments in job creation and associates - and announce Innovation Fund grants to support the U.S. textile sector - at the 85th Winter Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C. Details are highlighted below.
American Jobs
Workforce Investment
U.S. Manufacturing Jobs
The company’s investment in American jobs includes a 2013 commitment to purchase an additional $250 billion in American-made, grown, assembled and sourced products through 2023, estimated to help create one million jobs.*
Under the initiative, Walmart works with thousands of suppliers to help them gain access to the retailer’s shelves in stores and online. In the coming year, the program will continue to provide job-creating opportunities. Examples include:
Textile Industry Innovation
This year, the Walmart Foundation will provide $3 million in grants through the U.S. Manufacturing Innovation Fund to six leading universities working to advance sustainability and innovations in textile manufacturing, which has proven to be one of the most challenging industries to reshore to the U.S.
Through the U.S. Manufacturing Innovation Fund, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have funded $10 million in grants since 2014.
The 2017 Innovation Fund grant recipients will be announced as part of Bartlett’s remarks to U.S. mayors:
* Based on data from Boston Consulting Group.
Related: NRF Foundation Launches RISE Up – Education & Credentialing Program Securing Jobs in Retail
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