- Wayfair will close its Erlanger, Kentucky warehouse by ~Sept 30, 2026, permanently laying off 215 employees as it streamlines logistics.
- The phased layoffs begin Jan 1, 2026; Wayfair promises internal opportunities and transition support for affected, nonunion workers.
- The closure continues a pattern of workforce reductions and regional pullbacks amid tougher retail conditions and cost-cutting strategies.
In a move that underscores the challenges facing the online furniture giant, Wayfair has announced plans to shut down its warehouse in Erlanger, Kentucky, resulting in the permanent layoff of 215 employees.
The closure, set for around September 30, 2026, is part of the company’s efforts to streamline its logistics operations, according to details shared in recent reports.
The facility at 1600 Donaldson Highway has been operational since work began there in 2015, but Wayfair opted not to renew the lease as it continues to refine its supply chain network.
The FrankNez Media Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.
The layoffs will roll out in phases starting January 1, 2026, and continue throughout the year as the warehouse winds down.
None of the affected workers are unionized, and the company has emphasized its commitment to helping them transition.
In a statement, Wayfair said, “We are deeply grateful to our Erlanger team for their contributions and are committed to supporting impacted employees through internal opportunities and comprehensive transition support as we wind down operations over the next year.”
This decision was communicated via a letter to Kentucky’s Rapid Response Dislocated Worker Unit, highlighting the structured timeline for the shutdown.
A Trend of Layoffs with the Furniture Retailer
This isn’t the first time Wayfair has scaled back in Northern Kentucky.
Just over a year ago, in October 2024, the company notified state officials of plans to close its outlet and returns center in nearby Florence, which would affect 218 employees with layoffs starting at the end of that year and the site staying open through 2025.
Interestingly, Wayfair requested a retraction of that layoff notice on the same day it was submitted, though the broader context points to ongoing adjustments in the region.
Together, these two closures mark a significant pullback for Wayfair in the Tri-State area, with hundreds of local jobs on the line.
The Erlanger shutdown fits into a larger pattern of workforce reductions at Wayfair, which has been navigating a tough retail environment marked by fluctuating demand for home goods post-pandemic.
Back in January 2024, the Boston-based retailer announced it was cutting about 1,650 jobs globally—roughly 13% of its workforce—in a bid to save more than $280 million annually.
Company leaders described it as a “workforce realignment plan” aimed at boosting efficiency, with expected costs between $70 million and $80 million tied to severance and benefits.
As one report noted, this came just weeks after CEO Niraj Shah had urged employees to work harder in a memo that stirred some internal buzz.
The cuts didn’t stop there. In January 2025, Wayfair revealed it was exiting the German market entirely, leading to the layoff of around 730 workers—about 3% of its global staff at the time.
Analysts Weigh in on Tariffs and Economic Trends
Analysts pointed out potential hurdles from new tariffs, market shifts, and economic trends that could complicate things further for the company, which had around 14,400 employees worldwide as of late 2023.
Then, in March 2025, Wayfair trimmed another 340 positions from its technology team and decided to close its Technology Development Center in Austin, Texas, as part of ongoing tech restructuring.
These repeated rounds of layoffs reflect broader pressures in the retail sector, where companies like Wayfair have had to adapt to slower growth after the e-commerce boom during COVID-19.
Discussions on platforms like TheLayoff.com have captured employee sentiments, with posts detailing experiences from past cuts and questions about future stability.
Meanwhile, Wayfair’s moves align with a wave of workforce reductions across industries in 2025, including big names like Starbucks, Meta, and Microsoft, as firms grapple with economic headwinds.
For the workers in Erlanger, the next year will bring uncertainty, but Wayfair’s pledge of support could soften the blow.
As the company continues to revamp its operations—from logistics tweaks to market exits—these changes signal a leaner approach to competing in a crowded online retail space.
Local economies in places like Northern Kentucky will feel the ripple effects, with over 400 jobs lost across the two facilities in recent years.
Also Read: A Massive Convenience Store Now Closes 500 Stores
