According to information provided by a Walmart spokesperson, the retail giant went through a “thoughtful review process” before coming to the decision to shut the West Covina store down.
“We have nearly 5,000 stores across the U.S. and unfortunately some do not meet our financial expectations,” the Walmart spokesperson told KTLA. “While our underlying business is strong, this store hasn’t performed as well as we hoped.”
There are 16 locations in the Covina region that employ thousands of people, including a Walmart Super Center four miles from the West Covina site that is planned to close. All 237 workers of the West Covina store are eligible for transfer to another nearby store.
Walmart stated that no more closures are anticipated for SoCal in the near future. In the Golden State, there are presently 309 Walmart locations that employ over 100,000 people.
Walmart Communications Director Alicia Anger thanked the local consumer base in a statement.
“We are appreciative of the patrons who have allowed us to serve them at our West Covina store,” Anger stated. “We’re excited to keep serving them at any of the 16 other locations in the area, online at walmart.com, and via delivery.”
On March 29, the West Covina Walmart and its on-site pharmacy will formally close.