WARN notices show thousands of layoffs planned across New Jersey this year as economic uncertainty grows
A growing wave of layoffs across New Jersey is raising new concerns about the state’s economy as major corporations in retail, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, logistics, tech, finance, airlines, and manufacturing prepare to cut thousands of jobs.
According to 2026 WARN notices filed with the state, more than 7,350 layoffs have been announced so far across New Jersey by dozens of major employers, with many cuts scheduled to continue through the summer and into the end of the year.
The filings paint a troubling picture for several key industries that have traditionally powered large portions of New Jersey’s economy.
Among the biggest planned layoffs is FreshRealm in Linden, which announced 637 job cuts tied to operations this summer. Amazon also reported major reductions across multiple counties, totaling 871 positions statewide, including layoffs in Bergen, Passaic, Monmouth, and Hudson counties.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey announced 242 layoffs in Newark, while Bristol Myers Squibb disclosed multiple rounds of cuts totaling more than 450 positions tied to its Lawrence Township operations.
Spirit Airlines announced 201 layoffs tied to Newark operations, adding to concerns surrounding instability in the airline industry after months of financial pressure and operational challenges. That airline went out of business earlier this month.
Accupac in Lakewood filed notice for 260 layoffs scheduled between August and December, while Verizon announced 121 cuts in Basking Ridge.
Major Wall Street and financial institutions are also trimming staff in New Jersey.
JP Morgan Chase announced multiple rounds of layoffs in Jersey City totaling more than 300 positions this year. Citibank filed notices affecting 141 jobs statewide, while Barclays, UBS, Prudential, and Fulton Bank also reported workforce reductions.
The pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors — traditionally among New Jersey’s strongest industries — are also seeing significant restructuring activity.
Novartis filed multiple notices tied to East Hanover totaling 250 layoffs, while Integra Life Sciences, Labcorp, Amicus Therapeutics, Danone North America, Reckitt Benckiser, and Johnson & Johnson all reported staffing cuts.
Retailers are also continuing to scale back.
Macy’s, Saks & Company, Walmart, Target, Eddie Bauer, and Acme Markets all filed notices involving layoffs or store-related workforce reductions across the state.
Several logistics and warehouse companies also reported major cuts, including SFC Global Supply Chain, Scudetto Logistics, Alan Ritchey Inc., Federal Express, and ERMC operations connected to Newark Liberty International Airport.
The WARN notices, required under federal and state law for larger layoffs, provide advance notice to workers and government agencies when companies expect significant workforce reductions or facility closures.
Economists caution that WARN filings do not always translate into permanent layoffs because some employees are relocated or rehired later. Still, the scale and breadth of the notices are drawing increasing attention because the cuts span nearly every major sector of New Jersey’s economy.
The layoffs come as many companies continue restructuring after years of inflation, higher interest rates, changing consumer spending habits, remote work shifts, automation, and broader economic uncertainty.
New Jersey has long benefited from strong pharmaceutical, finance, logistics, and corporate office sectors, but some analysts warn the state is becoming increasingly vulnerable as companies look to reduce operating costs and consolidate operations.
Questions are also growing about whether New Jersey’s high taxes, business costs, housing prices, and regulatory environment are making it harder for employers to maintain large workforces in the state.
While New Jersey’s unemployment rate remains relatively stable overall, the growing list of WARN notices is fueling concerns that larger economic cracks may be starting to appear beneath the surface.
For workers across the state, the numbers are becoming difficult to ignore.