Retail giant Walmart has announced that it will be closing several stores in the United States in 2023. The move is part of the company’s ongoing effort to streamline its operations and focus on its most profitable locations.

In a statement, Walmart said that it would be closing a total of 43 stores across the country. The stores include 27 Walmart Supercenters, four Sam’s Clubs, and 12 Neighborhood Markets.

The decision to close the stores comes as Walmart continues to face stiff competition from online retailers like Amazon. In recent years, the company has been investing heavily in e-commerce and digital initiatives in an effort to keep pace with changing consumer habits.

Walmart has also been working to improve its in-store experience, investing in renovations and new technology to make shopping more convenient and efficient for customers. However, the company has acknowledged that some of its stores are simply not performing as well as others, and that it makes more sense to focus on its most profitable locations.

The decision to close stores is never an easy one, and Walmart says that it will be working to ensure that employees are treated fairly and given opportunities to transfer to other locations.

“We are committed to treating our associates with respect and dignity throughout this process,” the company said in a statement. “We will be offering eligible associates the opportunity to transfer to other Walmart locations, and we will be providing severance packages to those who are unable to find new roles within the company.”

The company has not yet released a full list of the stores that will be closing, but some have already been identified. They include:

• Walmart Supercenter in Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio, and Texas
• Sam’s Club in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas
• Neighborhood Market in California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas

The closures are expected to take place over the course of the year, with some stores already beginning to wind down operations. Walmart says that it will be working closely with affected communities to minimize the impact of the closures.

The decision to close stores is just the latest in a series of moves by Walmart to stay competitive in an increasingly challenging retail environment. The company has also been expanding its online grocery pickup and delivery services, investing in new technology like robotics, and partnering with other retailers and e-commerce companies to expand its reach.

While the closures may be difficult for some communities and employees in the short term, Walmart says that it is confident that the move will help the company to stay competitive and continue to grow over the long term.