Amazon Layoffs, Tesco Profits and Walmart AI Savings

Amazon layoffs hit around 1,000 corporate roles, most of them in its stores division, as Tesco's profits rise and Walmart puts its AI savings back into customer service. Today's briefing tells retail leaders that efficiency is the theme of the season, and the difference lies in where the savings go.

Sources:

- Retail Times: Tesco H1 Profits Rise; Consumer Spending Softens https://retailtimes.co.uk/tesco-enters-the-second-half-with-stronger-profits-and-weaker-sales-momentum-says-globaldata/

- Talking Retail: Aldi Names First 10 Locations in £900m UK Expansion https://www.talkingretail.com/news/industry-news/aldi-reveals-first-locations-for-new-stores-in-its-900m-expansion-08-10-2026/

- Retail Gazette: Amazon Cuts 1,000 Corporate Retail Jobs After Overhiring https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2026/10/amazon-cuts-retail-jobs-after-overhiring/

- Retail Times: Freemans Rebrands Around UK's £92bn 40-Plus Female Market https://retailtimes.co.uk/freemans-unveils-major-rebrand-with-renewed-focus-on-uks-92bn-40-female-market/

- Retail Dive: Amazon Cuts Hundreds From Retail Stores Division in Restructure https://www.retaildive.com/news/amazon-retail-stores-division-layoffs/832501/

- Retail Dive: Walmart AI Savings Reinvested in Customer Experience, U.S. CEO Says https://www.retaildive.com/news/ai-walmart-sparky-CX-investment/832327/

- Retail Dive: Walmart Launches 1-Hour Express Store Pickup and ASL Interpretation Ahead of Holidays https://www.retaildive.com/news/walmart-one-hour-express-store-pickup-asl-service-holiday/832464/

- Retail Dive: Levi's Q3 Profits Propped by Tariff Refunds as Direct-to-Consumer Sales Disappoint https://www.retaildive.com/news/levis-q3-wholesale-tariff-refunds-deliver/832468/

- Modern Retail: Retail Media Leadership Churn Persists as Albertsons Shakeup Puts Sector Under Spotlight https://www.modernretail.co/marketing/big-box-briefing-why-executive-turnover-has-been-a-consistent-theme-in-retail-media/?utm_campaign=modernretaildis&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=general-rss

- RetailDetail EU: Tesco Posts Strong H1 Results as Online Sales Drive Group Growth https://www.retaildetail.eu/news/food/online-is-a-key-growth-driver-for-tesco/

- RetailDetail EU: Zalando Opens 140,000 sq m Distribution Centre South of Paris https://www.retaildetail.eu/news/fashion/zalando-sets-up-shop-in-france-with-a-giant-distribution-center/

- ESM Magazine: Swiss Retail Federation Backs Tighter Rules for Foreign E-Commerce Platforms https://www.esmmagazine.com/retail/swiss-retailers-back-strict-rules-for-foreign-e-commerce-platforms-322697

- Inside Retail Australia: 7-Eleven Withdraws from India as Quick Commerce Undercuts the Format https://insideretail.com.au/business/squeezed-from-both-sides-why-7-eleven-could-not-make-india-work-202610

- Inside Retail Asia: Rapidus Pursues US$15 Billion Domestic Chip Programme in Japan https://insideretail.asia/2026/10/09/why-rapidus-chip-ambitions-matter-for-electronics-supply-chains/

- Inside Retail Australia: Adore Beauty Opens Largest Store Yet at Melbourne Central https://insideretail.com.au/stores/openings-closings/adore-beauty-opens-largest-flagship-yet-at-melbourne-central-202610