Walmart is to shut its apparel office in New York to reduce costs and concentrate on more basic clothing.

The office has about 275 workers in areas including product development and buying. These functions will be transferred to Walmart’s home town of Bentonville, Arkansas by February next year.

Walmart US chief executive Bill Simon announced the retailer would go back to basics following improved sales of socks, jeans and underwear and its failed attempts to attract more fashion-focused customers.

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