Walmart Inc. intends expanding its workforce beyond the current 1.6 million in the U.S. and 2.3 million globally. The initiative follows the projection by the National Retail Federation that sales will increase by approximately seven percent in 2022 to $4.9 trillion, excluding fuel.

In 2021 Walmart added 100,000 employees worldwide.  This number included 5,500 pharmacists and pharmacist’s assistants to implement COVID vaccination and other health care services.  It was also necessary to hire 4,500 drivers to expedite deliveries during supply chain challenges and to expand E-commerce.

Faced with the reality that potential hires were disinclined to fill the approximately 11 million vacant positions since 2000, wages and benefits have been progressively increased across the entire retail industry.  Walmart now has an average starting wage of $16.40 per hour ranging from $12 to $30 depending on region and skills.  New workers can be hired within 24 hours and the company and competitors are attracting employees with generous health and education benefits.  Walmart is in direct competition with Target Corporation, Costco Wholesale, Amazon.com, The Kroger Company and other supermarkets, all require a high level of digital competency and career commitment among their recruits.