According to its website, Walmart is the largest private employer in the United States, employing approximately 1.6 million people in the country and 2.1 million globally.

The move follows another major announcement to raise prices on select products by the end of May, as

President Donald Trump’s trade war has disrupted the company's supply chains and raised expenses. Notably, it is the country’s largest importer, with about 60% of its imports, mainly items such as clothing, electronics and toys, coming from China.

In a recent interview with CNBC, CFO John David Rainey said, “We’re pleased with the progress that’s been made by the [Trump] administration on tariffs from the levels that were announced in early April, but they’re still too high.”

In February, the company reduced staff and closed its North Carolina office as part of a plan to relocate staff to its primary centres in California and Arkansas.

According to an internal memo obtained by USA TODAY in February, Donna Morris, Walmart’s chief people officer, said, “Our values and culture are strategic differentiators for us as a company, and they are fostered by being together.”

“We’ve already seen the benefits of having more teams working together in person, and today we are sharing another step that will help accelerate our momentum.”

Last year, the company asked its staff in Dallas, Atlanta, and Toronto to relocate to bigger hubs.