Recasts paragraph 1 to focus on streamlining operations

May 21 (Reuters) - U.S. retail bellwether Walmart WMT.N is planning to cut about 1,500 jobs as part of a restructuring push to simplify its operations, according to a memo seen by Reuters.

The company's plan will impact teams in its global technology operations, e-commerce fulfillment in U.S. stores and its advertising business Walmart Connect.

"To accelerate our progress delivering the experiences that will define the future of retail, we must sharpen our focus," the memo said.

The company will also eliminate some roles and opening some new ones, according to the plan.

Walmart is the largest U.S. private employer with about 1.6 million employees. It employed about 2.1 million employees worldwide in total, according to its website.

It is also the country's biggest importer with about 60% of its imports, mainly items such as clothing, electronics and toys, from China.

The Wall Street Journal first reported about the plan to cut jobs.

The company had last week said it would raise prices for some products by the end of May as President Donald Trump's trade war hits its supply chain and increases expenses.

Walmart had cut some roles and closed its office in North Carolina in February as part of its move to relocate employees to its main hubs in California and Arkansas.

(Reporting by Juveria Tabassum in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore and Arun Koyyur)

((Juveria.Tabassum@thomsonreuters.com;))