Which companies are laying off workers across the U.S. in February 2026

U.S. companies announce widespread layoffs in early 2026

In early 2026, layoffs expanded across the U.S. economy as companies in technology, retail, logistics, finance, and apparel announced new rounds of job cuts.

According to WARN Tracker filings and company announcements, more than 100 employers have disclosed job cuts scheduled for 2026, with many of those reductions set to begin this year.

The announcements reflect a continuation of workforce reductions that began after pandemic-era hiring surged between 2020 and 2022. As of January 2026, companies cite cost control, restructuring, and automation as their top priorities.

Nordstrom Card Services confirms job cuts in February

Nordstrom Card Services has disclosed plans to cut 15 positions in 2026 at its Utah operation, according to the latest WARN Tracker filing. The reductions are confined to the retailer’s credit services arm and do not directly affect in-store roles.

The notice, filed in February 2026, fits into a broader pattern of companies revisiting staffing levels after reassessing operational needs.

Nordstrom did not publicly attribute the cuts to a single factor, but the announcement came as retailers across the U.S. responded to shifting consumer spending and higher operating costs.

United Parcel Service plans to reduce its workforce by 30,000

United Parcel Service has outlined plans to eliminate 30,000 operational roles in 2026, one of the largest workforce reductions announced so far this year, with most cuts expected to come through attrition and voluntary separation.

Executives described the changes as part of a push to optimize the delivery network, reduce exposure to lower-margin volume, and focus more on profitable customers, including healthcare and other high-value shippers.

Chief Financial Officer Brian Dykes said during an earnings call that the move is a tactical effort to right-size staffing levels and network infrastructure in line with current delivery volumes.

Amazon confirms another round of mass layoffs

Amazon announced on January 28, 2026, that it would eliminate approximately 16,000 corporate roles globally. This follows a prior round in October 2025, when the company cut about 14,000 white collar jobs.

The reductions are part of what Amazon describes as efforts to reduce bureaucracy and streamline decision-making.

Beth Galetti, senior vice president of people experience and technology, said in a memo that the company is reassessing its management structure and operational efficiency.

Meta prepares Reality Labs workforce reductions

Meta Platforms is preparing to lay off more than 1,000 employees from its Reality Labs division, according to a January 2026 report. The New York Times reported that roughly 10 to 15 percent of the division’s 15,000 employees could be affected.

Reality Labs oversees virtual reality headsets and the Horizon Worlds platform. Employees familiar with the plans said teams working on VR hardware and social virtual environments would be disproportionately impacted.

Pinterest restructures workforce to focus on AI

Pinterest announced a global restructuring plan that includes layoffs affecting less than 15 percent of its workforce, according to a January securities filing. The company also said it will reduce office space as part of the changes.

Pinterest stated that the restructuring is designed to support an AI-forward strategy, including hiring talent with artificial intelligence expertise.

A company spokesperson said some employees would be offered separation packages and benefits as part of the transition.

Nike eliminates hundreds of U.S. distribution jobs

Nike said on January 26, 2026, that it plans to lay off 775 employees at distribution centers in Tennessee and Mississippi. The company said the decision is part of efforts to streamline supply chain operations.

Nike said it is accelerating the use of advanced technology and automation while investing in skills needed for future operations. The affected roles are concentrated in logistics rather than corporate offices or retail stores.

Citi continues its multi-year workforce reduction plan

Citigroup confirmed in January 2026 that it will continue cutting jobs this year as part of a plan to reduce its workforce by 10 percent, or roughly 20,000 employees. The strategy was first detailed in the company’s January 2024 earnings report.

A Citi spokesperson said the changes are intended to ensure staffing levels, locations, and expertise align with current business needs. The company estimates the plan could save up to $2.5 billion.

Angi cuts jobs, citing AI-driven efficiency

Angi said in January 2026 that it is eliminating about 350 roles to lower operating costs and streamline its organizational structure. The company explicitly cited AI-driven efficiency improvements as a reason for the layoffs.

In a January 7 SEC filing, Angi said the job cuts are expected to save between $70 million and $80 million annually. The company also disclosed that the layoffs will cost between $22 million and $30 million in related expenses.

Expedia confirms layoffs while still hiring

Expedia Group confirmed it laid off some employees on January 26, 2026, while also posting new job openings. The company did not disclose how many workers were affected.

An Expedia spokesperson said the company is eliminating roles while opening others as it reassesses the skills needed for the future. The statement emphasized simplifying organizational structure and reducing layers to move faster and increase accountability.

Lululemon transitions to a full-time staffing model

Lululemon Athletica said it laid off approximately 100 part-time employees from its North American contact center in early 2026. The company described the move as part of efforts to ‘strengthen the business’ while reshaping its customer service model.

A spokesperson said Lululemon is transitioning its guest education center to a full-time staffing model. As a result, part-time roles were eliminated while full-time positions remain central to operations.

Saks closes Florida facility after bankruptcy filing

Saks Global said it will lay off at least 74 employees following the closure of a facility in Miramar, Florida. The layoffs are scheduled to occur between March 27 and April 30, according to a WARN letter.

The closure follows Saks’ Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in January 2026. The company said it is shifting operations from the Southeast Service Center to stores and other fulfillment centers.

For a bigger-picture look at how layoffs are stacking up across industries, our related story, which explains why recent layoff announcements rival the worst levels seen since the early Iraq War years, adds essential context.

Experts say layoffs reflect structural labor mismatch

Economists and labor experts say the layoffs announced in early 2026 reflect more than short-term economic weakness. Kevin Thompson, CEO of 9i Capital Group, said the labor market increasingly shows a mismatch between available workers and in-demand roles.

Thompson said productivity gains and post-pandemic overhiring have reduced workers’ leverage, leading to longer job searches and greater competition.

He noted that while unemployment remains relatively low, companies still argue that qualified candidates are hard to find.

For a concrete example of that skills mismatch playing out in tech, our related story on Meta cutting about 1,500 Reality Labs jobs and closing several VR game studios offers a clear snapshot.

What do you think about the companies that are laying off workers across the US in February 2026? Please share your thoughts and drop a comment.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

Read More From This Brand:

• Home Depot’s 800 layoffs come with a tougher back-to-office requirement
• Large layoffs announced at two Tyson Foods beef plants
• More layoffs ahead? 60% of US companies are preparing for workforce cuts