Let’s just set the record straight about what happened a few years back. In plain English: yes, Walmart did resource actions to reduce low performing, undesirable and untrustworthy associates. They were all covered by the severance plan and received those benefits. That’s the end of the story there. You can say what you want, but that’s the clear truth. And Walmart had every right to do that. No company wants to continue to employ low performing and undesirable employees.
Of course, no business plan can precisely anticipate every potential surge or drop in work force. A plan is derived and then tracked. Adjustments are made and then tracked. So, saying there’s a guarantee that no resource actions will happen would be an out-and-out lie. No one knows what’s going to happen. There’s legislation in flight that will potentially open up numerous opportunities at pharmacy and that will add staff. Even though wholesale reductions are not currently planned, no one can see the future. That’s not rocket science.
As previously stated, the actual pharmacy footprint at most stores is a limiting factor to new growth, so that is a considerable concern to growth and expansion. How does remodel/construction take place with limited space already a problem, and with controlled meds on site. And how does that happen without interrupting current service levels and operating hours. One potential solution is curbside delivery and it is being careful considered. There are challenges but progress is being made.
All in all, the pharmacy business is going to expand enormously. That is a known fact. There will be more opportunities, that is a known fact. This part of the business is not getting smaller and the need for associates is most certainly going to increase.