Friday, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) is closing its optical lab on the South Side and would lay off 650 workers, stating that the layoffs would allow the company to reduce costs and operate the business more efficiently. The facility processes eyewear orders for Vision Centers in Walmart stores.
The company would pay the workers for the next 60 days and the workers would be eligible for positions at area Walmart and Sam's Club stores.
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April 17, 2026 15:29 ET The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns for policymakers who worry about the impact of the supply shock and high energy prices on the real economy. Producer price data and various survey results on the housing market were the main news from the U.S. this week. In Europe, industrial production data for the euro area gained attention. GDP figures out of China and the policy move by the Singapore central bank were in focus in Asia.