Warby Parker Plans 63 Layoffs to Enhance Agility Amid Uncertain Consumer Behavior

Warby Parker is cutting 63 corporate jobs as part of a restructuring effort, representing approximately 15% of its corporate workforce or 2% of all employees, according to a letter obtained by Retail TouchPoints. The layoffs will not impact members of Warby Parker’s Lab team or customer-facing retail or customer experience teams.

“As we have discussed over the past few weeks, the global economy continues to face significant volatility and uncertainty,” said the letter. “This is impacting consumer behavior in every industry, including the optical industry. As a business, we must do our best to adapt, which sometimes involves making difficult decisions in the best interests of the company.”

Warby Parker noted in a statement that “we are making these changes to enable us to operate in a more focused and nimble manner and to capitalize more efficiently on our highest impact opportunities.”

The eyewear brand isn’t the only retailer making layoffs as shoppers cut back on discretionary spending. Other companies of varying sizes also have downsized their operations, including:

• Walmart is laying off 200 corporate employees across the merchandising, global technology and real estate teams, and cut its profit outlook as shoppers shift spending from high-margin items like apparel to low-margin items like food;
• Allbirds is reportedly cutting 24 people, representing 8% of its staff, to “ensure our operating structure is set-up for the next phase of growth;”
• Glossier also is reportedly reducing its headcount by 24 as part of a streamlined omnichannel strategy; and
• Footwear-focused resale platform StockX reportedly laid off 8% of its workforce due to “macroeconomic challenges,” according to The Detroit News.