Walmart to create 10,000 US jobs as Trump shadow looms
Another major US multinational business has pledged to create jobs in the country, with retail giant Walmart saying it plans to add 10,000 positions over the coming year.
Walmart is the single biggest employer in the US, with 1.5 million people on its books, and that number is set to increase with the announcement of a raft of new jobs.
In addition to the retail positions, the company also said that a further 24,000 construction jobs would be created as a result of building new stores.
The issue of jobs in the US has become a significant one lately as president-elect Donald Trump threatens to heavily tax companies which move their operations outside of the country.
Ford, Fiat Chrysler and Carrier are included in the list of companies which have announced substantial investments in the US along with job creation since Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in November.
Walmart's announcement came as somewhat of a surprise however, as brick-and-mortar retailers struggle to compete with online branches. Macy's announced at the end of 2016 that 68 stores would be shut, while popular brand American Apparel filed for bankruptcy.
"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," Dan Bartlett, Walmart executive vice president of corporate affairs, said in a press release.
Most of the companies which have made the job pledges since November have denied that their decisions were based on any undisclosed deal made with the president-elect, or even admitted that his victory was a factor in their decision.
However, it is apparent in Walmart's press release that they are placing an emphasis on the "home-grown" nature of the new 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 job," the statement added.