沃尔玛计划裁员1500人，CEO直言无法“吃下所有关税”

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges faced by Walmart and other U.S. retailers due to increased tariffs, leading to layoffs and potential price hikes for consumers as they navigate cost pressures and competition in the retail sector [1][2][3]. Group 1: Walmart's Response to Tariffs - Walmart plans to lay off approximately 1,500 employees as part of a restructuring effort to reduce costs amid rising tariff pressures [3]. - The company has already made cuts earlier in the year and is adjusting its organizational structure to better compete with e-commerce rivals like Amazon [3][4]. - Walmart's CEO indicated that while the company and its suppliers are absorbing some tariff costs, the scale of the tariffs makes it impossible to fully offset them [4]. Group 2: Impact on Consumer Prices - Consumers in the U.S. are likely to see price increases starting from late May, with some items already experiencing price hikes of over 20% since February [5]. - The article highlights that a significant portion of Walmart's imported goods comes from China, which exacerbates the cost pressures due to tariffs [4][5]. - Analysts predict that overall food prices in the U.S. will rise by 2.6% over the next three years due to increased tariffs, with grocery prices expected to increase by 2.7% this year [7][8]. Group 3: Consumer Sentiment and Economic Outlook - Consumer confidence in the U.S. has dropped to its lowest level since June 2022, indicating growing concerns about the economy [8]. - The article notes that high inflation and interest rates could dampen consumer spending, which is crucial for the U.S. economy [7][8]. - Retail giants are attempting to mitigate the impact of tariffs by negotiating with suppliers and adjusting product offerings, but the pressure on prices remains significant [6][7].