WW International Layoffs: Job Cuts Come As Weight Loss Company Readies To Reopen Studios

WW International (WW) is reportedly ready to start reopening its locations after they were forced to close because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The news comes as the weight loss company, formerly known as Weight Watchers, laid off an undisclosed number of workers as it focuses its attention on its digital offerings, which were used to hold virtual meetings for its members during the COVID-19 outbreak, USA Today reported.

The layoffs reportedly were announced on Thursday, with WW telling the news outlet, “As the COVID-19 crisis has forced the closure of our physical studios around the world, we have had to make some difficult decisions that have directly impacted the lives of some of our valued team members.

“With the accelerated growth of our digital offerings in both our WW app and the launch of Virtual Workshops, we are taking this time to look at our real estate footprint as we begin to safely and cautiously reopen our WW Studios,” the company added.

WW is reportedly planning on reopening its 3,000 locations in phases. In a company memo obtained by the news outlet, WW CEO Mindy Gross said the locations will have “careful testing and precautions in place to ensure the health of our members and Studio teams."

WW has about 5 million members worldwide. Oprah Winfrey, who holds a stake in the company, is WW's brand ambassador.