Meta axes VR jobs as Reality Labs flounders: Over 100 workers, including staff behind the “Supernatural” fitness app, were cut as the firm pivots away from costly metaverse efforts.

TikTok is restructuring its governance and experience team: The move affects marketplace safety within TikTok Shop and may be a response to the platform’s underperformance last year.

Firms are pulling resources from core roles to fuel AI growth, but without ROI, they’re hollowing out the workforce they still need.

The company is likely looking for ways to reinvigorate growth after a weaker-than-expected Q4

US consumer spending was resilient in 2024, but confidence is fading: Tariffs, layoffs, and inflation fears threaten to slow momentum as economic uncertainty looms.

Starbucks to lay off 1,100 workers in a bid for efficiency: The coffee company is also reducing its menu by 30% to improve order speed and consistency.

Estée Lauder expects net sales to fall up to 12% this quarter: That exceeds the 6.8% decline analysts forecast and shows the need to adapt amid deep staff cuts.

Department stores need a reboot after sales fell 1.6% last year: Retailers like Kohl’s are searching for a winning formula to revitalize the struggling department store model.

Starbucks’ turnaround takes shape: While US comp sales fell for the fourth-straight quarter, CEO Brian Niccol is confident that investments in the store and worker experience will bear fruit.

Wayfair pivots from Germany to focus on physical retail: The country’s challenging economic climate is one reason the retailer is reallocating resources to areas with better long-term potential.

Edelman wants to rely less on top-funnel brands: Layoffs show the company attempting to diversify revenues and meet demand for marketing services.

Recent acquisitions and service launches will help it maintain momentum

Even so, it’s laying off workers as it dives into value-added services and non-card payments

Hasbro and Mattel’s cost cuts pay off: Despite sluggish demand, both companies beat analysts’ bottom-line expectations.

Microsoft layoffs emphasize gaming’s biggest challenges: High production costs and a saturated market mean the industry has to change.

Is AI replacing jobs? Klarna says yes: The company plans to cut 1,800 more jobs after a year of aggressive cost-cutting.

Criteo’s layoffs can be linked to cookie deprecation: The ad tech firm laid off 140 employees months after saying cookie deprecation would cost it $40 million.

Retail job cuts pile up: Even as Macy’s, Wayfair, and Stitch Fix cut staff, other retailers have good reason to feel optimistic about 2024.

Etsy’s sales have remained “essentially flat” for two years: The niche online marketplace’s inability to broaden its reach led it to lay off about 225 employees.

Meta rehires laid-off workers: Big Tech competition and economic improvement mean the company needs the employees it cut, calling into question the “year of efficiency” strategy.