Saks to lay off 90 at Pennsylvania fulfillment center

In a strategic move set for the upcoming year, Saks has announced its decision to trim its workforce, bidding farewell to a significant 90 employees. The focal point of this restructuring involves the cessation of operations at a fulfillment center nestled in the heart of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, as outlined in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice dated November 7.

The intricate timeline of these layoffs is unveiled, with the initial wave commencing on January 6, followed by a subsequent round striking on March 26, as delineated in the official notice circulated to employees back in September, adding an element of anticipation and uncertainty to the equation.

According to a spokesperson who communicated via an emailed statement, Saks intends to orchestrate a meticulous redistribution of the facility’s volume to alternative locations within the company’s expansive network early in the upcoming year. This calculated move aligns with a strategic vision aimed at optimizing operational efficiency.

Delving deeper into the rationale behind this decision, the spokesperson elucidated, “The Wilkes-Barre facility, once an integral part of Saks’ operations, has now traversed into redundancy within our highly-scalable fulfillment network. This strategic shift is driven by the evolution of more advanced capabilities available at alternate locations.”

Expressing a degree of appreciation for the team members based in Wilkes-Barre, the spokesperson acknowledged their valuable contributions. In a gesture of commitment, they assured, “We recognize and value the efforts of our Wilkes-Barre team members and pledge our unwavering support as they navigate through this period of transition.” This acknowledgment adds a touch of empathy, acknowledging the human element within the organizational transformation.