NEW YORK CITY, New York: Walmart is set to close a major Sam's Club fulfillment center in Fort Worth, Texas, as part of a shift in its logistics network, potentially impacting hundreds of employees, according to people familiar with the matter.

The facility, known as DFW4, handles online orders for Sam's Club, Walmart's membership-based warehouse chain. Operations from the center will be moved to a high-tech fulfillment center in Lancaster, Texas, as well as three other facilities in the Dallas area, a Walmart spokesperson confirmed.

The company did not disclose how many jobs could be affected, but said the final number will depend on how many workers choose to relocate or transfer to other roles within the company.

"We're continuously evolving our fulfillment network to improve service for our customers and members as their needs change," Walmart said in a statement. "We are relocating operations... to other facilities within our fulfillment network."

Sources familiar with the Fort Worth facility—including one individual who recently applied for a job there—said the site currently employs hundreds of workers. According to Walmart's careers portal, hourly pay for freight handler roles at the center ranges from US$21.60 to $25.10.

The closure is part of Walmart's broader effort to streamline and modernize its e-commerce fulfillment network, a key part of its strategy to stay competitive with Amazon. In the first quarter, Walmart's investment in online infrastructure helped the company turn its first-ever profit from digital operations.

Sales at Sam's Club jumped 27 percent during the same period, and more than half of Sam's Club members now use digital payment options, Walmart reported.

Despite the closure, Walmart said it has roles available for all affected employees, including jobs at nearby stores and fulfillment centers. Employees who choose to transfer to another Walmart high-tech facility will be eligible for a $7,500 bonus and relocation benefits.

The DFW4 relocation is expected to be completed by summer, the spokesperson added.

While the company emphasized that no immediate layoffs are planned, the move highlights the growing pressure on traditional fulfillment centers as retailers increasingly invest in automation and centralized, tech-enabled hubs to handle rising e-commerce demand.

Walmart has spent heavily in recent years to build out its digital fulfillment footprint, focusing on speed, efficiency, and customer convenience. As part of that transition, some older or less efficient facilities are being phased out.

The Fort Worth site's closure is one of the most high-profile shifts in Walmart's logistics network so far this year, and it is a sign of how rapidly retail operations are evolving behind the scenes.